In the afternoon hours of March 5, 2022, a large and violent tornado hit areas just outside of Winterset, located near Des Moines in the state of Iowa.

The tornado would continue to produce heavy damage as it tracked towards Winterset, narrowly missing the southern edge of the town before passing near Patterson.

On March 4, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a slight risk outlook for severe weather for a negatively tilted shortwave trough positioned over the High Plains.

The next day, the SPC upped their alert level to an enhanced risk, centered in Iowa, as a stronger certainty arose for severe weather.

The outlook referenced an increase in destabilization, coupled with a modest low level jet at around 40–50 kn (46–58 mph; 74–93 km/h), in an area with moderate dew points, at around 50–55 °F (10–13 °C).

As the tornado crossed Highway 169, it reached EF4 intensity for the first time as it directly impacted a home, obliterating the structure with estimated winds of 170 miles per hour (270 km/h).

[5][6][7] Cars were flipped and thrown, outbuildings were obliterated, debris was strewn long distances, and many large trees were snapped and denuded in this area as well.

Continuing to the northeast, the tornado became increasingly rain-wrapped, downing more power poles and causing additional damage to homes as it passed south of Colfax, and then weakened further as it moved through Lambs Grove and the north side of Newton before dissipating.