Severe thunderstorms tore through central Iowa on Thursday, blowing down trees and causing a wide variety of damage to university buildings and the city.

Ames was one of several central Iowa cities to be hit by severe thunderstorms, said Harry Hillaker Jr., Iowa State climatologist. Severe weather reports were recorded as far south as Des Moines and all the way north to Fort Dodge, he said.

“The weather station on campus, in Agronomy Hall, recorded a gust of wind at 83 mph at 12:35 p.m. this afternoon,” Hillaker said.

The severe thunderstorms that passed through were the result of an accumulation of moisture moving along a warm front, originating in southeastern South Dakota, said Matt Steinbugl, meteorologist intern at the National Weather Service.

“Along the warm frontal boundary we had a good flow of moisture that initiated into severe weather after some instability,” he said.

“The storms swept through central Iowa, coming northeastward through the state.”

The severe weather was in no way related to Hurricane Katrina, Hillaker said.

“The effects of Hurricane Katrina have not had any impact on Iowa really at all,” he said.

The City of Ames has a storm damaged tree cleanup policy in place to deal with debris caused by severe thunderstorms, according to the City of Ames Web site. A damage evaluation team will be formed to review the damage caused throughout the city, and citizens will be responsible for their own cleanup if damage is not extensive. In either situation, a free debris drop-off location will be provided for residents.

“In any event that a strong thunderstorm watch is issued, it means that there is an imminent danger of hazardous weather,” Steinbugl said. “If you are in an area where storms are occurring, it is best to stay indoors and off the roads until the storm is over.”

Most thunderstorms only last a short while — Thursday’s storm swept through Ames in about 10 minutes or less, Hillaker said.

“This particular event is over now, and there isn’t a likelihood of more rain until next Tuesday,” Hillaker said. “Severe weather cannot be accurately forecast this far in advance, but there is nothing forecast for the immediate future in central Iowa.”