Hail history for Cerro Gordo County, IA

Cerro Gordo County has 184 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 117 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on June 18, 1974.

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 184 since 1959

1″ or larger 117 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · June 18, 1974

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 Cerro Gordo County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 184 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 20, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 28, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
April 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 28, 2025	0.75″	Penny
October 24, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
October 24, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
October 24, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 16, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail reported from the public library.

August 24, 2018 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Local media relayed a public social media picture of large hail, estimated around golf ball in size. Time estimated from radar.

May 25, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Report received from a KIMT TV viewer.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	3	4	19	68	60	25

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 Cerro Gordo County

Has it ever hailed in Cerro Gordo County?

Yes — 184 hail events have been recorded for Cerro Gordo County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 117 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Cerro Gordo County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Cerro Gordo County, IA is September 16, 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 Cerro Gordo County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on June 18, 1974. 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.