Hail history for Pocahontas County, IA

Pocahontas County has 145 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 94 of them 1″ or larger and 11 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on August 4, 1995.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 1969

1″ or larger 94 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 11 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · August 4, 1995

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 Pocahontas County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 145 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 26, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 26, 2023	0.75″	Penny
August 24, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
August 24, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
April 12, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
April 12, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
April 12, 2022	2.5″	Tennis ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 16, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Delayed report. Pictures of hail up to half-dollar sized.

August 28, 2018 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Public reported baseball sized hail. Time estimated from radar.

April 9, 2011 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The public reported baseball size hail and some minor urban flooding.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	7	11	14	51	49	12

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 Pocahontas County

Has it ever hailed in Pocahontas County?

Yes — 145 hail events have been recorded for Pocahontas County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1969, including 94 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pocahontas County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pocahontas County, IA is September 16, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Pocahontas County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on August 4, 1995. 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.