Hail HistoryHail history for Benton County, IA
188 hail reports in Benton County since 2006 on 78 days. The largest stones measured 2.5 in (tennis ball) on Apr 13, 2006.
Cities in Benton County
Recent hail in Benton County
| Date | Hail size | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2026 | 1 in quarter | Belle Plaine 3 hail reports |
| Apr 15, 2026 | 1 in quarter | Vinton 1 hail report |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 2 in hen egg | Van Horne, Newhall, Belle Plaine 8 hail reports |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 0.88 in nickel | Urbana 1 hail report |
| Apr 17, 2025 | 0.88 in nickel | Vinton Meml Airport 1 hail report |
One row per day: the largest hail reported in the county that day, the places and the number of reports.
Hail days in Benton County by year
When hail season peaks in Benton County
Damaging thunderstorm winds in Benton County
249 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind in Benton County since 2006, on 84 days. The strongest measured gust was 145 mph on Aug 10, 2020.
| Date | Strongest gust | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 2026 | 65 mph, estimated | Shellsburg, Cheney 2 wind reports |
| Jul 20, 2026 | 74 mph, measured | Shellsburg, Newhall, Vinton 3 wind reports |
| Jun 17, 2026 | 74 mph, measured | Van Horne, Blairstown, Atkins 3 wind reports |
| Jun 11, 2026 | 64 mph, estimated | Garrison 1 wind report |
| Aug 15, 2025 | 64 mph, measured | Shellsburg, Garrison, Vinton 5 wind reports |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 61 mph, measured | Van Horne 1 wind report |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 71 mph, measured | Vinton, Newhall, Urbana 3 wind reports |
| Jun 26, 2025 | 60 mph, estimated | Shellsburg 1 wind report |
| Jun 11, 2025 | 75 mph, estimated | Mt Auburn, Vinton Meml Airport, Keystone 5 wind reports |
| Mar 14, 2025 | 60 mph, measured | Newhall 1 wind report |
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 Benton County; 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.
Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then).