Hail history for Marion County, IA

Marion County has 196 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 138 of them 1″ or larger and 16 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on June 20, 2015.

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 196 since 1957

1″ or larger 138 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 16 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · June 20, 2015

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 Marion County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 196 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
October 4, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
October 4, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
October 4, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
October 4, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
July 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
July 30, 2024	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

October 4, 2024 · 0.88″ (nickel)

No damage was reported.

June 20, 2015 · 4.0″ (softball)

Public report of measured hailstones around 4 inches in diameter. Photos were on twitter and the KCCI ulocal page. Time radar estimated.

June 20, 2015 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Trained spotter report of 3 to 3.5 inch hail as storm passed over his home around 5pm.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	2	1	6	26	49	67	42

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 Marion County

Has it ever hailed in Marion County?

Yes — 196 hail events have been recorded for Marion County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 138 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Marion County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Marion County, IA is May 19, 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 Marion County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on June 20, 2015. 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.