Hail history for Harlan, Iowa
NOAA hail reports in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Harlan since 1974, with preliminary reports to November 5, 2026.
Readout · Harlan
- Last hail
- Apr 23, 2026
- 1.00 in, quarter size
- Hail days, last 5 years
- 4
- since Nov 5, 2021 · 5 reports
- Largest ever
- 3.00 in
- teacup · Jun 30, 2014
26 reports on 24 days since 1974 · #97 of 483 Iowa places
Hail map · Harlan
- Under 1 in
- 1–1.75 in
- 1.75–2.5 in
- 2.5–4 in
- 4 in +
- No size
For homeowners
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What the record says about Harlan
The latest hail report in and around Harlan is from April 23, 2026, 1.00 in (quarter size). Since November 5, 2021 there have been 4 separate hail days; the biggest stones in that time were 2.00 in on May 20, 2024.
Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Harlan logged 14 reports on 13 hail days, about 0.7 reports a year. That is 56% more than the median Iowa town on this site (0.5 a year) and ranks #97 of 483 Iowa cities and towns on this site for all-time reports. Harlan accounts for 19% of the 134 reports filed in Shelby County.
8% of reports with a size were 2 inches (hen egg) or larger, against 6% for the median Iowa town on this site. The largest hail on record here is 3.00 in (teacup) on June 30, 2014 near Harlan.
Reports were down 25% in 2016–2025 (6) compared with 2006–2015 (8). The busiest year was 2024, with 3 reports on 2 days. Hail here peaks in May (31% of reports); 73% fall between April and June.
Reports a year 2006–2025 average
- Harlan 0.7
- Shelby County 3.0
- Median Iowa town on this site 0.5
Hail days 2006–2025
- Harlan 13
- Shelby County 38
- Median Iowa town on this site 7
Share 2 in or larger of sized reports
- Harlan 8%
- Shelby County 4%
- Median Iowa town on this site 6%
Hail over time
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 2023 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2017 | 0 |
Hail days since Nov 5, 2021
| Date | Reports | Largest | Storm page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2026 | 1 | 1.00 in | — |
| Jun 25, 2024 | 1 | 1.75 in | — |
| May 20, 2024 | 2 | 2.00 in | — |
| May 17, 2022 | 1 | 1.00 in | — |
Largest hail on record
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 2014 | 3.00 inteacup | Harlan | Shelby | 08:18 local · NCEI |
| May 20, 2024 | 2.00 inhen egg | 3 N Harlan | Shelby | 20:49 local · NCEI |
| Jun 25, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | Harlan | Shelby | 19:02 local · NCEI |
| Aug 5, 2000 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 3 W Harlan | Shelby | 19:08 local · NCEI |
| May 17, 1974 | 1.75 ingolf ball | — | Shelby | 17:09 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
- Under 1 in 13 50%
- 1–2 in 11 42%
- 2 in + 2 8%
Most recent reports
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2026 | 1.00 inquarter | 2.92 SE Westphalia | Shelby | 15:39 local · NCEI |
| Jun 25, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | Harlan | Shelby | 19:02 local · NCEI |
| May 20, 2024 | 2.00 inhen egg | 3 N Harlan | Shelby | 20:49 local · NCEI |
| May 20, 2024 | 1.00 inquarter | 1 NNE Harlan | Shelby | 20:41 local · NCEI |
| May 17, 2022 | 1.00 inquarter | 2.08 NW Harlan | Shelby | 20:57 local · NCEI |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 1.00 inquarter | Harlan | Shelby | 09:08 local · NCEI |
| Apr 13, 2018 | 0.88 innickel | Harlan Pauley Arpt | Shelby | 14:56 local · NCEI |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 3.00 inteacup | Harlan | Shelby | 08:18 local · NCEI |
| Apr 28, 2014 | 0.75 inpenny | 1.24 SE Harlan | Shelby | 12:00 local · NCEI |
| Jun 25, 2013 | 0.75 inpenny | 1.24 SE Harlan | Shelby | 01:05 local · NCEI |
| Aug 18, 2011 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.69 N Harlan | Shelby | 17:57 local · NCEI |
| May 21, 2011 | 0.75 inpenny | 0.69 N Harlan | Shelby | 19:20 local · NCEI |
Hail history near Harlan
Questions about hail in Harlan
How often does it hail in Harlan, Iowa?
26 hail reports have been logged in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Harlan since 1974. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 0.7 reports a year. That ranks #97 of 483 Iowa places by number of reports.
When is hail season in Harlan?
Most reports come in May, June, April. May alone accounts for 31% of all reports.
What is the largest hail recorded in Harlan?
3.00 in (teacup size) on June 30, 2014 near Harlan. 8% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.
When did it last hail in Harlan?
The most recent report in this data is from April 23, 2026 (1.00 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 5, 2026.
How many hail storms has Harlan had in the last five years?
4 separate days with hail reports since November 5, 2021, adding up to 5 reports. The most recent was April 23, 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.