Hail history for Johnson County, IA

Johnson County has 229 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 139 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on March 10, 2026.

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 229 since 1968

1″ or larger 139 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · March 10, 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 Johnson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 229 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 14, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 14, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 14, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 2, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
March 31, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
March 15, 2026	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

April 14, 2026 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Report received from Mping.

April 13, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Public report of baseball size hail at mile marker 252 on I-80

June 18, 1998 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail falling for more than 15 minutes caused widespread damage to homes and vehicles across the Iowa City area. Numerous windshields were broken and vehicles dented. Several reports of hail breaking through fiberglass awnings and lightweight shelters were also received.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	11	8	12	59	74	64

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 Johnson County

Has it ever hailed in Johnson County?

Yes — 229 hail events have been recorded for Johnson County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 139 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Johnson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Johnson County, IA is April 14, 2026, with 1.5″ (ping-pong ball) 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 Johnson County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on March 10, 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.