Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
453 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-191100-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-
Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-
Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-
453 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight

A Red Flag Warning and Wind Advisory is in effect for the area
today. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at
weather.gov/desmoines for further details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Chances for accumulating snow return to the forecast on Thursday
into early Friday. Breezy conditions may lead to visibility drops
during snowfall and any snow accumulating on roads could impact
travel.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

$$

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1012 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Expected Today...

.Strong and gusty west winds combined with very low relative
humidity and cured fuels will lead to conditions conducive for
rapid fire growth.

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-
081>086-092>097-190015-
/O.CON.KDMX.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260219T0100Z/
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-
Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-
Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-
Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams-Union-
Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne-
Appanoose-Davis-
1012 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CST THIS EVENING
FOR ALL OF CENTRAL IOWA...

* AFFECTED AREA...All of central Iowa.

* WIND...West wind 25 to 35 mph with gusts of at least 40 to 50
  mph.

* HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity values of 12 to 22%.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$


For more information from the National Weather Service visit https://weather.gov/desmoines

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1011 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

IAZ006-007-016-017-024>028-035>039-045>050-182200-
/O.CON.KDMX.WI.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260218T2200Z/
Winnebago-Worth-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-
Butler-Bremer-Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Carroll-
Greene-Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-
Including the cities of Shell Rock, Toledo, Britt, Clear Lake,
Forest City, Aplington, Dysart, Jefferson, Boone, Dumont,
Waterloo, Allison, Northwood, Lake Mills, Mason City, Traer,
Greene, Conrad, Waverly, Dike, Gladbrook, Iowa Falls, Eldora,
Marshalltown, Manly, Reinbeck, Tama, Eagle Grove, Ackley,
Wellsburg, Webster City, Ames, Kanawha, Clarksville, Carroll,
Garner, Fort Dodge, Parkersburg, Cedar Falls, Grundy Center,
Clarion, Hampton, Belmond, and Humboldt
1011 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern into central Iowa.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM CST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
  limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles on north-south highways. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

Lee

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov