Hail History

Hail history for Iowa

16,032 NOAA hail reports across 100 counties and 483 cities and towns since 1955, updated to November 3, 2026.

Readout · Iowa

Last hail
Oct 28, 2026
1.00 in, quarter size · preliminary
Hail days, last 5 years
193
since Nov 3, 2021 · 1,842 reports
Largest ever
8.00 in
softball · May 31, 1958

16,032 reports on 2,034 days since 1955 · #7 of 51 states

Hail map · Iowa

Black Hawk County: 253 reportsHancock County: 114 reportsWapello County: 125 reportsCedar County: 143 reportsHoward County: 98 reportsWarren County: 342 reportsWayne County: 82 reportsMarshall County: 150 reportsFranklin County: 125 reportsDelaware County: 152 reportsBuchanan County: 166 reportsWebster County: 226 reportsBoone County: 194 reportsRinggold County: 105 reportsShelby County: 134 reportsUnion County: 120 reportsAdams County: 102 reportsMahaska County: 91 reportsAdair County: 175 reportsHamilton County: 149 reportsHardin County: 129 reportsIda County: 136 reportsMarion County: 196 reportsPoweshiek County: 93 reportsPolk County: 677 reportsMadison County: 152 reportsVan Buren County: 126 reportsHenry County: 108 reportsCerro Gordo County: 184 reportsWright County: 96 reportsJones County: 134 reportsCarroll County: 144 reportsGreene County: 124 reportsEmmet County: 122 reportsMitchell County: 110 reportsMontgomery County: 129 reportsBremer County: 128 reportsWashington County: 101 reportsO'Brien County: 209 reportsPocahontas County: 145 reportsDavis County: 87 reportsCrawford County: 149 reportsGrundy County: 91 reportsAudubon County: 117 reportsLinn County: 390 reportsKeokuk County: 71 reportsSac County: 113 reportsWoodbury County: 387 reportsPottawattamie County: 260 reportsMuscatine County: 160 reportsMills County: 148 reportsOsceola County: 121 reportsFayette County: 145 reportsJasper County: 220 reportsDes Moines County: 123 reportsStory County: 325 reportsPlymouth County: 287 reportsAppanoose County: 114 reportsDubuque County: 201 reportsFremont County: 140 reportsDecatur County: 95 reportsWinneshiek County: 161 reportsClay County: 253 reportsJohnson County: 229 reportsLucas County: 78 reportsMonroe County: 61 reportsIowa County: 128 reportsBenton County: 278 reportsKossuth County: 197 reportsScott County: 273 reportsHarrison County: 218 reportsLouisa County: 67 reportsPage County: 143 reportsClayton County: 146 reportsHumboldt County: 102 reportsJefferson County: 94 reportsSioux County: 269 reportsDallas County: 252 reportsCass County: 175 reportsClarke County: 125 reportsMonona County: 144 reportsCalhoun County: 135 reportsJackson County: 81 reportsChickasaw County: 111 reportsGuthrie County: 226 reportsWinnebago County: 105 reportsDickinson County: 179 reportsLee County: 155 reportsTaylor County: 168 reportsButler County: 175 reportsFloyd County: 165 reportsWorth County: 95 reportsCherokee County: 171 reportsPalo Alto County: 125 reportsTama County: 109 reportsBuena Vista County: 155 reportsLyon County: 176 reportsAllamakee County: 96 reportsClinton County: 142 reports
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Counties shaded by all-time hail reports. Select a county for its page.

For homeowners

Roof damage after hail? Get a free inspection

Hail bruises shingles and cracks seals in ways you can't see from the ground, and most insurers set a claim deadline after the storm. The latest hail report in Iowa is from October 28, 2026. A local roofer can check and document it at no cost.

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What the record says about Iowa

The latest hail report in Iowa is from October 28, 2026, 1.00 in (quarter size). Since November 3, 2021 there have been 193 separate hail days; the biggest stones in that time were 4.00 in on April 17, 2025.

Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Iowa logged 8,659 reports on 855 hail days, about 432.9 reports a year. That is about twice the median US state (173.9 a year) and ranks #7 of 51 states and DC for all-time reports.

7% of reports with a size were 2 inches (hen egg) or larger, against 3% for the median US state. The largest hail on record here is 8.00 in (softball) on May 31, 1958.

Reports were down 36% in 2016–2025 (3,386) compared with 2006–2015 (5,273). The busiest year was 2004, with 932 reports on 58 days. Hail here peaks in June (24% of reports); 66% fall between April and June.

Reports a year 2006–2025 average

  • Iowa 432.9
  • Median US state 173.9

Hail days 2006–2025

  • Iowa 855
  • Median US state 561

Share 2 in or larger of sized reports

  • Iowa 7%
  • Median US state 3%

Hail over time

02505007501,000 1955: 8 reports, largest 3.00 in 1956: 12 reports, largest 3.00 in 1957: 8 reports, largest 1.50 in 1958: 7 reports, largest 8.00 in 1959: 15 reports, largest 7.00 in 1960: 32 reports, largest 3.00 in 1960 1961: 28 reports, largest 4.50 in 1962: 41 reports, largest 3.00 in 1963: 18 reports, largest 2.75 in 1964: 24 reports, largest 3.00 in 1965: 36 reports, largest 4.00 in 1966: 13 reports, largest 2.75 in 1967: 30 reports, largest 3.00 in 1968: 33 reports, largest 2.75 in 1969: 32 reports, largest 3.00 in 1970: 27 reports, largest 4.00 in 1970 1971: 43 reports, largest 4.00 in 1972: 26 reports, largest 2.75 in 1973: 40 reports, largest 4.00 in 1974: 125 reports, largest 3.00 in 1975: 38 reports, largest 2.75 in 1976: 45 reports, largest 3.75 in 1977: 23 reports, largest 2.75 in 1978: 41 reports, largest 4.50 in 1979: 45 reports, largest 2.75 in 1980: 95 reports, largest 2.75 in 1980 1981: 68 reports, largest 3.00 in 1982: 34 reports, largest 2.00 in 1983: 35 reports, largest 2.75 in 1984: 56 reports, largest 2.75 in 1985: 86 reports, largest 4.00 in 1986: 100 reports, largest 2.75 in 1987: 84 reports, largest 3.75 in 1988: 39 reports, largest 3.00 in 1989: 84 reports, largest 2.50 in 1990: 67 reports, largest 4.50 in 1990 1991: 95 reports, largest 3.00 in 1992: 109 reports, largest 4.50 in 1993: 41 reports, largest 1.75 in 1994: 247 reports, largest 4.50 in 1995: 194 reports, largest 4.50 in 1996: 206 reports, largest 4.50 in 1997: 161 reports, largest 4.50 in 1998: 367 reports, largest 5.00 in 1999: 339 reports, largest 4.50 in 2000: 469 reports, largest 4.00 in 2000 2001: 784 reports, largest 4.50 in 2002: 538 reports, largest 2.75 in 2003: 567 reports, largest 4.75 in 2004: 932 reports, largest 5.50 in 2005: 444 reports, largest 4.50 in 2006: 658 reports, largest 3.00 in 2007: 428 reports, largest 4.50 in 2008: 771 reports, largest 4.25 in 2009: 421 reports, largest 4.25 in 2010: 528 reports, largest 3.50 in 2010 2011: 613 reports, largest 4.00 in 2012: 383 reports, largest 2.75 in 2013: 497 reports, largest 3.00 in 2014: 624 reports, largest 4.00 in 2015: 350 reports, largest 4.00 in 2016: 207 reports, largest 2.50 in 2017: 589 reports, largest 3.00 in 2018: 376 reports, largest 3.00 in 2019: 232 reports, largest 2.75 in 2020: 287 reports, largest 4.00 in 2020 2021: 198 reports, largest 4.00 in 2022: 247 reports, largest 3.00 in 2023: 577 reports, largest 4.00 in 2024: 417 reports, largest 3.50 in 2025: 256 reports, largest 4.00 in 2026: 342 reports, largest 3.50 in
Reports per year, 1955–2026. Bar colour shows the largest hail that year. Reporting grew sharply after the mid-1990s, so early decades undercount.
01,0002,0003,0004,000 January: 10 reports (0%) Jan February: 76 reports (0%) Feb March: 799 reports (5%) Mar April: 2,883 reports (18%) Apr May: 3,777 reports (24%) May June: 3,854 reports (24%) Jun July: 2,037 reports (13%) Jul August: 1,266 reports (8%) Aug September: 940 reports (6%) Sep October: 325 reports (2%) Oct November: 51 reports (0%) Nov December: 14 reports (0%) Dec
All 16,032 reports by calendar month.
Reports per month, 2017–2026. Darker cells had more reports.
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal
2026 60121582114171437 342
2025 2911817301010411 256
2024 51691123716361131 417
2023 167206146577012711 577
2022 195023428445317 247
2021 345886627113 198
2020 22851348971444 287
2019 27566713144312 232
2018 32117112197323 376
2017 3266108107205353222 589

Hail days since Nov 3, 2021

DateReportsLargestStorm page
Oct 28, 2026 1 1.00 in View
Oct 13, 2026 2 1.54 in View
Oct 8, 2026 34 1.75 in View
Sep 8, 2026 7 1.75 in View
Sep 6, 2026 1 1.00 in View
Sep 4, 2026 4 1.75 in View
Sep 1, 2026 2 1.00 in View
Aug 12, 2026 2 1.25 in View
Aug 11, 2026 5 1.00 in View
Aug 8, 2026 3 1.75 in View
Aug 7, 2026 7 1.75 in View
Jul 20, 2026 1 1.00 in —
Jul 8, 2026 3 1.00 in —
Jul 3, 2026 3 1.50 in —
Jul 2, 2026 7 3.50 in —
Jun 30, 2026 4 1.25 in —
Jun 28, 2026 6 2.00 in —
Jun 13, 2026 4 1.50 in —
Jun 11, 2026 5 3.50 in —
Jun 5, 2026 1 1.00 in —
Jun 1, 2026 1 1.00 in —
May 31, 2026 3 1.50 in —
May 25, 2026 2 1.25 in —
May 24, 2026 2 1.00 in —
May 18, 2026 17 1.75 in —
May 17, 2026 6 1.75 in —
May 16, 2026 7 2.75 in —
May 15, 2026 19 2.00 in —
May 4, 2026 2 1.00 in —
Apr 27, 2026 1 1.00 in —
Apr 23, 2026 18 1.50 in —
Apr 17, 2026 11 1.25 in —
Apr 15, 2026 7 1.75 in —
Apr 14, 2026 56 3.50 in —
Apr 13, 2026 19 2.75 in —
Apr 2, 2026 9 3.00 in —
Mar 31, 2026 9 1.75 in —
Mar 26, 2026 1 1.00 in —
Mar 15, 2026 2 1.50 in —
Mar 10, 2026 44 2.75 in —

The 40 most recent of 193 hail days.

Largest hail on record

Largest hail reports in Iowa
Date Size Location County Damage Time · source
May 31, 1958 8.00 insoftball — Fayette — 12:30 local · NCEI
Sep 27, 1959 7.00 insoftball — Scott — 20:00 local · NCEI
Aug 26, 2004 5.50 insoftball Kanawha Hancock $100K 16:00 local · NCEI
May 22, 2004 5.50 insoftball 1 NW Slater Story $100K 18:20 local · NCEI
May 30, 1998 5.00 insoftball 2 NE Gilbert Story $50K 12:51 local · NCEI

Sizes filed before 1996 are often rough estimates (round numbers like 7.00 or 8.00 in) without an exact spot; they are shown as NOAA filed them.

Size of every report

Most recent reports

Most recent hail reports in Iowa
Date Size Location County Time · source
Oct 28, 2026 1.00 inquarter 1 S Vail Crawford 22:52 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 13, 2026 1.54 inping pong ball 2 ENE Hazleton Buchanan 22:25 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 13, 2026 1.02 inquarter 2 ENE Hazleton Buchanan 22:23 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.00 inquarter 6 N Cleghorn Cherokee 07:45 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.00 inquarter 4 S Granville Sioux 07:01 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.25 inhalf dollar 5 N Remsen Plymouth 06:45 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.00 inquarter 4 SSW Marcus Cherokee 06:03 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.50 inping pong ball 1 N Lake City Calhoun 05:54 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.00 inquarter 1 W Lake City Calhoun 05:52 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.25 inhalf dollar 1 S Remsen Plymouth 05:48 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.00 inquarter Hawarden Sioux 05:47 UTC · NWS prelim.
Oct 8, 2026 1.25 inhalf dollar 3 ENE Auburn Calhoun 05:40 UTC · NWS prelim.

Cities and towns with the most hail reports

All 483 cities and towns with 10+ reports

Recent storm days in Iowa

How Iowa compares

Hail reports by county

CountyReportsLargest
Polk County6773.25 in
Linn County3902.75 in
Woodbury County3874.50 in
Warren County3423.50 in
Story County3255.50 in
Plymouth County2873.50 in
Benton County2784.00 in
Scott County2737.00 in
Sioux County2692.75 in
Pottawattamie County2604.00 in
Clay County2534.25 in
Black Hawk County2534.50 in
Dallas County2523.00 in
Johnson County2292.75 in
Webster County2263.50 in
Guthrie County2264.50 in
Jasper County2204.50 in
Harrison County2183.00 in
O'Brien County2094.00 in
Dubuque County2014.50 in
Kossuth County1973.00 in
Marion County1964.00 in
Boone County1943.00 in
Cerro Gordo County1843.00 in
Dickinson County1792.50 in
Lyon County1764.00 in
Butler County1754.50 in
Adair County1754.50 in
Cass County1753.00 in
Cherokee County1714.00 in
Taylor County1684.00 in
Buchanan County1663.25 in
Floyd County1654.50 in
Winneshiek County1614.25 in
Muscatine County1602.75 in
Lee County1554.50 in
Buena Vista County1553.00 in
Madison County1524.00 in
Delaware County1524.50 in
Marshall County1503.00 in
Crawford County1494.25 in
Hamilton County1492.75 in
Mills County1483.00 in
Clayton County1462.50 in
Fayette County1458.00 in
Pocahontas County1454.50 in
Monona County1443.50 in
Carroll County1442.75 in
Cedar County1433.00 in
Page County1433.50 in
Clinton County1424.00 in
Fremont County1403.00 in
Ida County1364.50 in
Calhoun County1354.00 in
Shelby County1343.00 in
Jones County1343.00 in
Montgomery County1293.00 in
Hardin County1293.00 in
Bremer County1282.75 in
Iowa County1282.75 in
Van Buren County1263.00 in
Palo Alto County1253.00 in
Clarke County1253.50 in
Franklin County1253.00 in
Wapello County1252.75 in
Greene County1242.75 in
Des Moines County1234.00 in
Emmet County1223.00 in
Osceola County1214.00 in
Union County1203.00 in
Audubon County1173.00 in
Hancock County1145.50 in
Appanoose County1143.00 in
Sac County1132.75 in
Chickasaw County1112.75 in
Mitchell County1103.00 in
Tama County1093.75 in
Henry County1084.00 in
Ringgold County1054.50 in
Winnebago County1053.50 in
Humboldt County1023.50 in
Adams County1023.00 in
Washington County1012.75 in
Howard County983.50 in
Allamakee County962.50 in
Wright County964.00 in
Decatur County952.75 in
Worth County952.75 in
Jefferson County943.75 in
Poweshiek County933.00 in
Mahaska County914.75 in
Grundy County913.00 in
Davis County872.50 in
Wayne County823.00 in
Jackson County813.00 in
Lucas County782.50 in
Keokuk County713.00 in
Louisa County672.75 in
Monroe County613.25 in
19000 County373.00 in

Questions about hail in Iowa

How often does it hail in Iowa?

16,032 hail reports have been logged in Iowa since 1955. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 432.9 reports a year. That ranks #7 of 51 states by number of reports.

When is hail season in Iowa?

Most reports come in June, May, April. June alone accounts for 24% of all reports.

What is the largest hail recorded in Iowa?

8.00 in (softball size) on May 31, 1958. 7% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.

When did it last hail in Iowa?

The most recent report in this data is from October 28, 2026 (1.00 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 3, 2026.

How many hail storms has Iowa had in the last five years?

193 separate days with hail reports since November 3, 2021, adding up to 1,842 reports. The most recent was October 28, 2026.

Where does this hail data come from?

Hail reports come from the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, which the National Weather Service compiles from spotter, public, law enforcement and media reports. Recent days use preliminary NWS Local Storm Reports via the Iowa Environmental Mesonet until NOAA publishes final data. Only reported hail is counted, so areas with fewer people tend to have fewer reports.