About the Chapter

The Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association's goal is to improve the weather knowledge of the general public. The chapter works on projects with the goal of benefiting the local community. We also provide grants for various weather-related projects. For more information about our chapter, please browse the rest of our website.

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*** Abstract submission deadline Friday, February 28, 2025 ***

Abstracts are encouraged on all aspects of severe weather. Send abstracts to Dr. William Gallus at wgallus@iastate.edu
Please indicate if you would prefer an oral or poster presentation


27th Annual Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference

Presented by the Central Iowa NWA Chapter

March 27th - March 29th, 2025
(Thursday - Saturday)
Courtyard by Marriott


*** Conference Update - Confirmed Speakers (12/19/2024) ***

The following speakers are confirmed for this years conference:

  • Dr. Karen Kosiba (University of Alabama-Huntsville): Near-ground tornado winds measured by radar, with an emphasis on the Greenfield, IA tornado.
  • Dr. Adam Clark (NSSL) How cutting-edge computer models are helping with severe weather forecasting.
  • Kevin Kelleher (retired, NSSL): Science advising in the movies Twister and Twisters.
  • Dr. Chris Weiss (Texas Tech University): The search for SVCs and friction-induced vorticity worms in observations, and also on QLCS tornadoes.
  • Clay Chaney (NWS-Greenville/Spartanburg): Catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene in the North Carolina mountains.
  • Brian Barjenbruch (NWS-Omaha): The April 26 tornado outbreak in eastern Nebraska and Iowa.
  • Kim Brewer, a Greenfield, IA resident, will tell her riveting story about how she and her daughter survived being thrown from their destroyed home in the Greenfield tornado.
  • David Koeller (KCCI-TV, Des Moines, formerly of WOWT-TV, Omaha): WOWTs coverage of the April 26 tornadoes in the Omaha area.
  • Denis Phillips (WFTS-TV in Tampa, FL): The serious impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Tampa Bay area.
  • Eric Tigges (Clay County Emergency Manager): THe impacts of the record flooding in Spencer, IA and surrounding Clay County.
  • In addition, NWS-Des Moines personnel will discuss the May 21 tornado outbreak that led to the Greenfield tornado and the record June flooding in northwest Iowa.

News & Announcements


Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Location: TBD

2025 Conference Date

March 27 - March 29, 2025