Hail history for Mills County, IA

Mills County has 145 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 95 of them 1″ or larger and 12 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on August 18, 2011.

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 145 since 1957

1″ or larger 95 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 12 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · August 18, 2011

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 Mills County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 145 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 6, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
October 5, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 30, 2024	2.25″	Tennis ball
April 30, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 17, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 17, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

March 6, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Public mPING report of hail measured at 1.00 inch in diameter.

October 4, 2013 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Spotters and storm chasers reported hail ranging from nickel size to baseball size associated with a left-moving supercell tracking north northeast. The hail reportedly broke the vehicle windshield of the spotter northwest of Glenwood.

August 18, 2011 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail, some as large as around softball-size, was accompanied by thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph or stronger. The hail and strong winds caused considerable home and vehicle damage in the Mineola area, especially on the east side of the structures. It was reported that almost every home in town lost at least one window.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	3	9	19	56	25	32

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 Mills County

Has it ever hailed in Mills County?

Yes — 145 hail events have been recorded for Mills County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 95 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Mills County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Mills County, IA is March 6, 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 Mills County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on August 18, 2011. 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.