Hail history for Taylor County, IA

Taylor County has 168 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 123 of them 1″ or larger and 14 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 5, 1971.

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 168 since 1957

1″ or larger 123 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 14 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 5, 1971

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 Taylor County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 168 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
October 30, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
April 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 17, 2023	0.75″	Penny
April 4, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 4, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
April 4, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
April 4, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
September 17, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 26, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Delayed report, time estimated by radar.

June 28, 2017 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Media reported baseball sized hail.

June 28, 2017 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Trained spotter reported baseball sized hail. This is a delayed report.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	3	3	4	14	58	73	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 Taylor County

Has it ever hailed in Taylor County?

Yes — 168 hail events have been recorded for Taylor County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 123 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Taylor County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Taylor County, IA is October 30, 2024, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 Taylor County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 5, 1971. 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.