Hail history for Calhoun County, IA

Calhoun County has 132 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 82 of them 1″ or larger and 15 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on June 30, 2014.

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 132 since 1960

1″ or larger 82 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 15 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · June 30, 2014

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 Calhoun County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 132 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 16, 2025	0.75″	Penny
March 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 24, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 5, 2022	0.75″	Penny
March 28, 2020	1.25″	Half dollar
March 28, 2020	1.25″	Half dollar
March 28, 2020	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

March 14, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Reported from mping.

May 3, 2015 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Significant damage was done to a vehicle from the large hail.

June 30, 2014 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Windshields broken in cars across Rockwell City.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	4	0	6	21	42	50	9

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 Calhoun County

Has it ever hailed in Calhoun County?

Yes — 132 hail events have been recorded for Calhoun County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 82 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Calhoun County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Calhoun County, IA is June 16, 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 Calhoun County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on June 30, 2014. 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.