Hail history for Polk County, IA

Polk County has 670 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 442 of them 1″ or larger and 39 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.25″ (tea cup) on July 9, 2021.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 670 since 1956

1″ or larger 442 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 39 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.25″ tea cup · July 9, 2021

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Polk County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Polk County's peak: June.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 670 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 19, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 19, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Polk County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

May 19, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Delayed report, time estimated by radar.

August 19, 2022 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

WOI-5 reported three inch hail at the station in West Des Moines.

July 9, 2021 · 3.25″ (tea cup)

Picture via social media of 3.25 inch hail in Beaverdale. Time estimated via radar.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
5	10	24	24	47	274	188	98

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Polk County

Has it ever hailed in Polk County?

Yes — 670 hail events have been recorded for Polk County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 442 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Polk County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Polk County, IA is May 19, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Polk County?

3.25″ (tea cup), recorded on July 9, 2021. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Iowa hail history

All 99 Iowa counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.