Hail history for Polk County, MO

Polk County has 305 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 171 of them 1″ or larger and 19 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on April 21, 2022.

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 305 since 1965

1″ or larger 171 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 19 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · April 21, 2022

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 Polk County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 305 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 28, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 26, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 26, 2026	2.75″	Baseball
September 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 10, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 28, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail was reported.

April 1, 2024 · 3.5″ (softball)

Hail to the size of softballs killed five cows and another five killed as they broke through fencing in a stampede to avoid the hail.

April 21, 2022 · 4.0″ (softball)

Softball sized hail was reported in the town of Fair Play. Significant roof and vehicle damage occurred as the hail moved through the town. Damages for this event have been included in the Bolivar event entry.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	3	3	17	51	113	66	52

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 Polk County

Has it ever hailed in Polk County?

Yes — 305 hail events have been recorded for Polk County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 171 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Polk County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Polk County, MO is April 28, 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 Polk County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on April 21, 2022. 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 Missouri hail history

All 115 Missouri 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.