Hail History

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Hail history for Ames, IA

Last hail within 10 milesJun 20, 20250.75 in (penny)
Hail days, last 12 monthsNone
Largest hail since 20063 in (tea cup)Jun 25, 2008
Hail days since 200646
Days with hail 1 inch or larger28
Tornadoes within 10 miles13
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles146

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Ames on 46 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Jun 25, 2008. Hail is most common here in June and May.

Ames ranks #310 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Ames

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Jun 20, 20250.75 in
penny		Ames
1 hail report · closest 1 mi from Ames		NOAA Storm Events
May 19, 20251 in
quarter		Nevada
1 hail report · closest 9 mi from Ames		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 22, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Nevada
4 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Ames		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 19, 20251.25 in
half dollar		Ames, Ames Airport
2 hail reports · closest near the center of Ames		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Ontario, Mackey
6 hail reports · closest 3 mi from Ames		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 Ames by year

3060760809110211112313314115162177182191202112242342452526

When hail season peaks near Ames

Of the 46 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (11) and May (11).

JanFeb5Mar6Apr11May11Jun8Jul1Aug3SepOctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near Ames

Jun 25, 2008 · 3 in (tea cup) · Napier (9 mi from Ames)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail was oblong with the major axis up to 3.25 inches in length.

May 7, 2023 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Ames (2 mi from Ames)

May 25, 2018 · 2.25 in · Huxley (10 mi from Ames)

National Weather Service description (English): Large hail nearly tennis ball size was measured and reported in Huxley.

May 1, 2018 · 2 in (hen egg) · Nevada (9 mi from Ames)

Mar 8, 2006 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Pleasant Hill (9 mi from Ames)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ames

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 19, 2025EF?Mackey
10 mi from Ames		2.3 mi long, 40 yd wide
Jul 19, 2025EF?Gilbert
8 mi from Ames		2.2 mi long, 40 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF0Kelley
8 mi from Ames		0.7 mi long, 60 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF0Story City
10 mi from Ames		2.1 mi long, 40 yd wide
May 29, 2018EF0Ames
4 mi from Ames		0.3 mi long, 30 yd wide
Aug 21, 2017EF0Napier
8 mi from Ames		1.9 mi long, 60 yd wide
Aug 21, 2017EF0Kelley
8 mi from Ames		1.4 mi long, 80 yd wide
Aug 21, 2017EF0Midvale
7 mi from Ames		1.1 mi long, 10 yd wide
Mar 6, 2017EF0Gilbert
6 mi from Ames		5.3 mi long, 85 yd wide
Jun 7, 2015EF1Ames Airport
2 mi from Ames		0.9 mi long, 35 yd wide
May 11, 2014EF0Napier
10 mi from Ames		1.7 mi long, 100 yd wide
Jun 8, 2010EF0Story City
8 mi from Ames		0.4 mi long, 20 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Ames

146 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Ames since 2006, on 61 days. The strongest measured gust was 82 mph on Jul 27, 2008.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 14, 2026damage reportedAmes
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 202669 mph, measuredAmes, Gilbert
3 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Sep 22, 202558 mph, estimatedAmes
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 19, 202571 mph, measuredGilbert, Nevada
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 28, 202562 mph, measuredAmes Airport
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 18, 202458 mph, estimatedOntario
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
May 24, 202458 mph, estimatedAmes Airport
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202258 mph, measuredAmes Airport, Ontario
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
May 14, 202266 mph, measuredAmes Airport
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 23, 202260 mph, measuredAmes Airport
2 wind reports		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 Ames; 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 Ames.

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