Hail history for Monroe County, IA

Monroe County has 61 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 41 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.25″ (tea cup) on May 20, 1998.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 61 since 1979

1″ or larger 41 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.25″ tea cup · May 20, 1998

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 Monroe County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 61 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 24, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
September 18, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2022	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

May 24, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch hail reported west of Lovilia, which was relayed from broadcast media. Time and location were estimated from radar.

June 18, 2021 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Trained spotter reported two inch hail and wind gusts up to 65 mph.

June 12, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Several reports of golf ball size hail in the Albia area. Car windows were also reported to be broken.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	3	9	22	16	10

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 Monroe County

Has it ever hailed in Monroe County?

Yes — 61 hail events have been recorded for Monroe County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1979, including 41 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Monroe County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Monroe County, IA is May 24, 2024, 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 Monroe County?

3.25″ (tea cup), recorded on May 20, 1998. 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.