Hail history for Wapello County, IA

Wapello County has 125 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 79 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 11, 2014.

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 125 since 1966

1″ or larger 79 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 11, 2014

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 Wapello County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 125 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 17, 2023	0.75″	Penny
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 24, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 24, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 17, 2023 · 0.75″ (penny)

Report via mping.

June 24, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Trained spotter reported tennis ball sized hail.

March 31, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Report via social media.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	6	8	12	45	38	14

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 Wapello County

Has it ever hailed in Wapello County?

Yes — 125 hail events have been recorded for Wapello County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1966, including 79 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Wapello County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Wapello County, IA is July 17, 2023, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Wapello County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 11, 2014. 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.