Callender Fire Department

05/30/2026

It looks like we may get a little weather activity tomorrow.

🚨 UPDATE: This is no longer the latest forecast. Please check our newest post for the most up-to-date severe weather outlook for Sunday, as forecast details have changed since this post was published.

**PREVIOUS POST BELOW**

⚠️Slight Risk of Severe Weather Sunday ⚠️

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across western Iowa on Sunday afternoon (after 3pm) and evening.

Storms are expected to develop near the Nebraska border and move into western Iowa during the late afternoon and evening. The atmosphere will become increasingly unstable, providing the energy needed for some storms to become severe. The primary threats will be large hail and damaging wind gusts. Some of the stronger storms could produce hail larger than 2 inches in diameter. Wind gusts over 60 mph will also be possible with the strongest storms.

If you have outdoor plans Sunday afternoon or evening, be sure to keep an eye on the forecast and have a way to receive weather warnings. The ISCN Weather app is a great way to stay informed as conditions evolve. Check back throughout the weekend as we continue to fine-tune the forecast.

05/25/2026

05/18/2026

Attached is a reminder of why the "tornado" sirens go off during or prior to a storm. Severe thunderstorm warnings with these criteria or a tornado you should be preparing for some damage.

OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN reminder-
-Sirens are meant for OUTDOOR WARNING - NOT INDOOR!!! They are not meant to wake you up!
-Only Sirens within the warned area are activated.
-Sirens activate for SEVERE THUNDERSTORM with 1.75"+ Hail (golfball).
-Sirens activate for SEVERE THUNDERSTORM with 70+mph winds.
-Sirens activate for TORNADO WARNING.
-Sirens sound for 3 minutes in the warned area.
-There is NO all clear. Each warning produced by the US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa contains an EXPIRATION time - that is the time that should be reflected as a "all clear" time, AS LONG AS ANOTHER WARNING WAS NOT ISSUED!
-Any additional warning within the same area will prompt a 2nd activation of the sirens.
-Just because the sirens shut off, does not mean the storm has passed. Often times the warnings are well ahead of the storm, allowing for advanced warning, so the sirens may sound 20 minutes before the storm hits, they could also sound with minutes to spare!
-Citizens need to take personal responsibility and ensure they have multiple ways to be notified - and sirens should NOT be #1!
*please note each county has their own policy and are slightly different, the comments above only reflect the policy for WEBSTER COUNTY IOWA.

05/18/2026

Updated from this mornings information.

05/18/2026

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05/10/2026

Heads up to anyone headed to Gowrie.

04/23/2026

Another reminder about how sirens are activated in Webster County.

OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN reminder-
-Sirens are meant for OUTDOOR WARNING - NOT INDOOR!!! They are not meant to wake you up!
-Only Sirens within the warned area are activated.
-Sirens activate for SEVERE THUNDERSTORM with 1.75"+ Hail (golfball).
-Sirens activate for SEVERE THUNDERSTORM with 70+mph winds.
-Sirens activate for TORNADO WARNING.
-Sirens sound for 3 minutes in the warned area.
-There is NO all clear. Each warning produced by the US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa contains an EXPIRATION time - that is the time that should be reflected as a "all clear" time, AS LONG AS ANOTHER WARNING WAS NOT ISSUED!
-Any additional warning within the same area will prompt a 2nd activation of the sirens.
-Just because the sirens shut off, does not mean the storm has passed. Often times the warnings are well ahead of the storm, allowing for advanced warning, so the sirens may sound 20 minutes before the storm hits, they could also sound with minutes to spare!
-Citizens need to take personal responsibility and ensure they have multiple ways to be notified - and sirens should NOT be #1!
*please note each county has their own policy and are slightly different, the comments above only reflect the policy for WEBSTER COUNTY IOWA.

04/22/2026

Anyone miss the rain yet?

After several days of quiet weather and a much-needed break from active conditions, a shift is expected this Thursday. We are currently tracking an approaching system that will bring a return of showers and thunderstorms to the area. Rain totals generally ranging between 0.25” and 0.75”. A few storms could be on the strong to severe side. The highest risk for severe activity currently trends toward Western Iowa, with timing likely beginning in the late morning and continuing through the afternoon. Stay tuned for further updates as the timing and intensity of these storms become clearer.