Hail history for Clarke County, IA

Clarke County has 125 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 88 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on April 4, 2023.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 125 since 1960

1″ or larger 88 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · April 4, 2023

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 Clarke County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 125 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 19, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 19, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 17, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
March 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
October 24, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 21, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2024	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 19, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Delayed report, time estimated by radar.

April 4, 2023 · 3.5″ (softball)

Delayed report from mping, time estimated by radar.

April 4, 2023 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Broken windows, corrugated metal outbuildings severely dented, vehicles parked outside severely dented, newly established trees damaged.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	1	8	13	23	43	36

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 Clarke County

Has it ever hailed in Clarke County?

Yes — 125 hail events have been recorded for Clarke County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 88 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Clarke County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Clarke County, IA is May 19, 2025, with 2.0″ (hen egg) 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 Clarke County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on April 4, 2023. 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.