Hail history for Hamilton County, IA

Hamilton County has 149 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 100 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on June 30, 2014.

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 149 since 1974

1″ or larger 100 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · 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 Hamilton County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 149 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 6, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
September 14, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
August 1, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
August 1, 2018	0.75″	Penny
July 25, 2018	0.75″	Penny
June 6, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball
June 6, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball
June 6, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 6, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Public report of 1.25-inch hail 2 miles SE of Woolstock.

June 30, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Up to baseball size hail across town with tree damage from strong winds.

June 30, 2014 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Up to tennis ball size hail just south of town.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	11	4	17	75	41	1

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 Hamilton County

Has it ever hailed in Hamilton County?

Yes — 149 hail events have been recorded for Hamilton County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 100 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hamilton County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hamilton County, IA is July 6, 2024, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Hamilton County?

2.75″ (baseball), 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.