Hail history for Pottawattamie County, IA

Pottawattamie County has 259 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 188 of them 1″ or larger and 31 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on April 17, 2025.

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 259 since 1962

1″ or larger 188 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 31 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · April 17, 2025

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 Pottawattamie County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 259 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 24, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 24, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 24, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
April 24, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 23, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Delayed report received via social media of hail measured up to 1 inch in diameter from a Trained Spotter. Time estimated with radar.

April 17, 2025 · 4.0″ (softball)

Public report of hail estimated up to 4 in diameter.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	8	10	21	33	84	54	49

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 Pottawattamie County

Has it ever hailed in Pottawattamie County?

Yes — 259 hail events have been recorded for Pottawattamie County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1962, including 188 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pottawattamie County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pottawattamie County, IA is April 23, 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 Pottawattamie County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on April 17, 2025. 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.