Hail history for Des Moines County, IA

Des Moines County has 122 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 74 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on August 25, 1965.

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 122 since 1965

1″ or larger 74 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · August 25, 1965

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 Des Moines County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 122 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 15, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 13, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 16, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

August 15, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Report from MPing.

July 16, 2015 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Confirmation received by photo via social media.

September 22, 2000 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball sized hail damaged several homes on 42nd Street. The large hail punched holes in windows and siding and dented several vehicles. Mobile homes nearby also suffered damage from the hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	4	4	13	43	34	23

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 Des Moines County

Has it ever hailed in Des Moines County?

Yes — 122 hail events have been recorded for Des Moines County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 74 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Des Moines County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Des Moines County, IA is August 15, 2024, 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 Des Moines County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on August 25, 1965. 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.