Iowa does not experience hurricanes. As a landlocked state in the Midwest with no coastline on the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, Iowa is geographically impossible to be hit by a hurricane.
However, there’s important information about what you should know about severe weather in Iowa during hurricane season:
Why Iowa Doesn’t Get Hurricanes
What Iowa Actually Faces During “Hurricane Season” (June–November)
While hurricanes don’t hit Iowa, the same months (June 1–November 30) coincide with Iowa’s severe weather season, which includes:
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast (For Context)
While Iowa won’t be directly affected, here’s what forecasters are predicting for the Atlantic basin:
| Metric | 2026 Forecast | Long-Term Average |
|---|---|---|
| Named storms | 12–13 | 14 |
| Hurricanes | 6 | 7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) | 2 | 3 |
| Season intensity | Below average | — |
| El Niño effect | Suppressing storm formation | — |
What to Prepare For in Iowa (Instead of Hurricanes)
Spring/Summer 2026:
- Tornado watches/warnings — especially May–June
- Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds
- ** Derecho events** (Massive windstorms like the 2020 Midwest derecho)
- Flash flooding from heavy rain events
Emergency Prep Tips for Iowa Residents:
- Have a tornado shelter plan (basement or interior room)
- Sign up for local emergency alerts (Iowa Homeland Security)
- Prepare an emergency kit for power outages
- Monitor NWS/Doppler radar for severe weather
Bottom Line
Iowa residents don’t need to worry about hurricanes — the state is too far inland for any tropical cyclone to reach it. Instead, focus on preparing for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding, which are the real weather threats during Iowa’s severe weather season (especially May–June).
SOURCES :
- https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2026-04-16-weather-company-atmospheric-g2-hurricane-season-outlook
- https://cbs2iowa.com/newsletter-daily/the-first-2026-atlantic-hurricane-season-predictions-are-in
