Hail history for Lucas County, IA

Lucas County has 78 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 45 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on October 22, 2001.

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 78 since 1973

1″ or larger 45 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · October 22, 2001

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 Lucas County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 78 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 25, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 24, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
April 16, 2024	0.75″	Penny
September 16, 2023	0.8″	Penny
May 7, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
September 17, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
June 18, 2021	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 24, 2024 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Delayed report of hail up to golf ball size from the Derby Fire Department. The time of occurrence was estimated from radar.

June 18, 2021 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Public report relayed via broadcast media on social media.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	6	13	31	14	13

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 Lucas County

Has it ever hailed in Lucas County?

Yes — 78 hail events have been recorded for Lucas County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1973, including 45 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lucas County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lucas County, IA is June 25, 2024, 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 Lucas County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on October 22, 2001. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.