Hail history for Story County, IA

Story County has 325 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 218 of them 1″ or larger and 33 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.5″ (grapefruit) on May 22, 2004.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 325 since 1968

1″ or larger 218 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 33 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 5.5″ grapefruit · May 22, 2004

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 Story County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 325 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 20, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 22, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
April 22, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 22, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 22, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 20, 2025 · 0.75″ (penny)

Report via mping.

April 12, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Report via social media through broadcast media.

May 19, 1998 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Ground covered 4 inches deep between Colo and Collins

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	5	8	10	28	98	97	79

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 Story County

Has it ever hailed in Story County?

Yes — 325 hail events have been recorded for Story County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 218 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Story County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Story County, IA is June 20, 2025, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Story County?

5.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 22, 2004. 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.