Hail history for Buena Vista County, IA

Buena Vista County has 151 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 103 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on June 18, 1960.

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 151 since 1960

1″ or larger 103 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · June 18, 1960

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 Buena Vista County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 151 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
May 24, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
July 26, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 26, 2023	0.75″	Penny
July 26, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 3, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
June 24, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 3, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Row crops were badly damaged by hail up to golf ball size. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

June 14, 2012 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Large hail dented vehicles. The amount of damage was not known. Crop damage was also suspected.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	3	3	11	21	60	39	14

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 Buena Vista County

Has it ever hailed in Buena Vista County?

Yes — 151 hail events have been recorded for Buena Vista County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 103 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Buena Vista County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Buena Vista County, IA is April 23, 2026, 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 Buena Vista County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on June 18, 1960. 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.