Hail history for Adams County, IA

Adams County has 102 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 70 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on May 19, 2013.

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 102 since 1985

1″ or larger 70 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · May 19, 2013

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 Adams County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 102 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 17, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 24, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
September 24, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
April 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 30, 2024	0.75″	Penny
April 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 17, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Largest hail up to one inch in diameter.

May 19, 2013 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Two to three inch hail received via social media.

May 19, 2013 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail completely covered the ground.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	1	11	32	43	15

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 Adams County

Has it ever hailed in Adams County?

Yes — 102 hail events have been recorded for Adams County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1985, including 70 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Adams County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Adams County, IA is April 17, 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 Adams County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on May 19, 2013. 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.