Hail history for Winneshiek County, IA

Winneshiek County has 161 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 94 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on July 24, 2009.

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 161 since 1965

1″ or larger 94 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · July 24, 2009

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 Winneshiek County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 161 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 2, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 19, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
May 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 28, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
June 28, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
April 13, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2017	2.0″	Hen egg

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

From the storm reports

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

August 16, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The public reported quarter sized hail near Calmar.

July 24, 2009 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

This was the second round of large hail to fall in five hours, damaging many of the same fields and properties.

July 24, 2009 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail occurred along Highway W42 going into Fayette County.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	2	3	21	96	31	6

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 Winneshiek County

Has it ever hailed in Winneshiek County?

Yes — 161 hail events have been recorded for Winneshiek County, IA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 94 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Winneshiek County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Winneshiek County, IA is August 16, 2025, 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 Winneshiek County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 24, 2009. 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.