Hail history for Howard County, IA

Howard County has 97 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 47 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on April 14, 2026.

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 97 since 1955

1″ or larger 47 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · April 14, 2026

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 Howard County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 97 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 27, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2026	2.75″	Baseball
April 14, 2026	3.5″	Softball
September 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
September 19, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
June 26, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
June 27, 2019	0.88″	Nickel
June 27, 2019	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

April 27, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The public reported quarter sized hail in Lourdes.

April 14, 2026 · 3.5″ (softball)

The public reported three and a half inch diameter hail near Elma.

April 14, 2026 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The public reported baseball sized hail in Saratoga.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	6	3	17	45	18	6

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 Howard County

Has it ever hailed in Howard County?

Yes — 97 hail events have been recorded for Howard County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 47 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Howard County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Howard County, IA is April 27, 2026, 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 Howard County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on April 14, 2026. 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.