Hail history for Hancock County, IA

Hancock County has 114 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 78 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.5″ (grapefruit) on August 26, 2004.

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 114 since 1958

1″ or larger 78 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 5.5″ grapefruit · August 26, 2004

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 Hancock County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 114 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 11, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 11, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
April 28, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 28, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 28, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 11, 2025 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Hail ranging from dime to nickel sized.

August 11, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Delayed report of 2 inch hail in Klemme relayed via social media, with time estimated from radar.

August 28, 2018 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Public reported, through local media, hail larger than baseball in size. Time estimated from radar.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	5	5	15	29	31	28

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 Hancock County

Has it ever hailed in Hancock County?

Yes — 114 hail events have been recorded for Hancock County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 78 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hancock County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hancock County, IA is June 11, 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 Hancock County?

5.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on August 26, 2004. 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.