A large and exceptionally rare late autumn season tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of November 12, 2005 with the majority of them concentrated in central Iowa.

There were also many reports of very large hail and strong straight-line winds, starting in southeast South Dakota.

In addition, the tornado sirens sounded just before an Iowa State University Cyclones football game incurring an evacuation of the stadium.

The Iowa State Cyclones, named partly for a violent tornado in the early 20th century returned to the field and were victorious.

[citation needed] Another tornado struck the actual ISU campus a couple months prior on September 8 with minor damage.