Hail History

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Hail history for Polk City, IA

Last hail within 10 milesSep 8, 20261.5 in (ping pong ball)
Hail days, last 12 months3
Largest hail since 20063 in (tea cup)Jul 15, 2009
Hail days since 200665
Days with hail 1 inch or larger41
Tornadoes within 10 miles15
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles281

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Polk City on 65 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Jul 15, 2009. Hail is most common here in July and June.

Recent hail near Polk City

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Sep 8, 20262.25 inAnkeny
3 hail reports · closest 6 mi from Polk City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 20261 in
quarter		Alleman
1 hail report · closest 6 mi from Polk City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Polk City
4 hail reports · closest 5 mi from Polk City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 19, 20250.75 in
penny		Oralabor
1 hail report · closest 4 mi from Polk City		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 20251 in
quarter		Urbandale, Lovington
2 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Polk City		NOAA Storm Events

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near Polk City by year

506507608609410411312513414115116217418119120221122323224225326

When hail season peaks near Polk City

Of the 65 hail days since 2006, most fell in July (17) and June (13).

Jan1Feb6Mar6Apr13May13Jun17Jul3Aug5SepOctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near Polk City

Jul 15, 2009 · 3 in (tea cup) · Johnston (6 mi from Polk City)

National Weather Service description (English): The hail measured 2.25 inches by 3 inches.

May 8, 2014 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Lovington (9 mi from Polk City)

National Weather Service description (English): Reported near the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Meredith Drive.

Jul 9, 2021 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Dodge Field Airport (6 mi from Polk City)

National Weather Service description (English): Baseball sized hail report relayed via WHO TV.

Sep 8, 2026 · 2.25 in · Ankeny (6 mi from Polk City)

Sep 1, 2018 · 2 in (hen egg) · Lovington (8 mi from Polk City)

National Weather Service description (English): Trained spotter reported hail larger than golf balls.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Polk City

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 15, 2024EF1Clive
9 mi from Polk City		6.9 mi long, 300 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Grimes
8 mi from Polk City		1.5 mi long, 50 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Johnston
8 mi from Polk City		3.2 mi long, 100 yd wide
May 21, 2024EF2Rider
7 mi from Polk City		17.6 mi long, 800 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF1Polk City
7 mi from Polk City		1.4 mi long, 80 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF0Madrid
7 mi from Polk City		7.0 mi long, 80 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF?Crocker
6 mi from Polk City		0.8 mi long, 60 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF?Sheldahl
7 mi from Polk City		3.2 mi long, 60 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF0Crocker
3 mi from Polk City		2.4 mi long, 75 yd wide
May 25, 2020EF1Lovington
8 mi from Polk City		1.6 mi long, 50 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF0Enterprise
8 mi from Polk City		0.9 mi long, 50 yd wide
May 19, 2013EF1Alleman
6 mi from Polk City		4.2 mi long, 150 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Polk City

281 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Polk City since 2006, on 83 days. The strongest measured gust was 85 mph on Aug 10, 2020.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 8, 202675 mph, measuredAnkeny, Madrid
4 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 13, 202661 mph, measuredAlleman, Polk City
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 202658 mph, measuredAnkeny, Madrid
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 28, 202558 mph, estimatedUrbandale
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 24, 202561 mph, measuredElkhart
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202567 mph, measuredElkhart, Swanwood
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 7, 202560 mph, estimatedLovington
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 202570 mph, estimatedCarney
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 30, 202466 mph, measuredGrimes, Ankeny
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 28, 202458 mph, estimatedPolk City
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events

Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.

Filing a roof or car hail claim?

Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near Polk City; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.

Nearby cities

Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of Polk City.

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