Hail History

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Hail history for Des Moines, IA

Last hail within 10 milesSep 8, 20261.75 in (golf ball)
Hail days, last 12 months3
Largest hail since 20063.25 inJul 9, 2021
Hail days since 2006101
Days with hail 1 inch or larger65
Tornadoes within 10 miles12
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles448

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Des Moines on 101 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3.25 in on Jul 9, 2021. Hail is most common here in June and April.

Des Moines ranks #10 for hail days among the 311 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Des Moines

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Sep 8, 20262.25 inAnkeny, Bondurant, Altoona
5 hail reports · closest 7 mi from Des Moines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 20261 in
quarter		West Des Moines
1 hail report · closest 8 mi from Des Moines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Windsor Heights, Urbandale
5 hail reports · closest 4 mi from Des Moines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 19, 20251 in
quarter		Des Moines Intl., Commerce, Bondurant
5 hail reports · closest near the center of Des Moines		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 20251 in
quarter		Clarkson, Norwalk
2 hail reports · closest 8 mi from Des Moines		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 20251 in
quarter		Windsor Hgts, Urbandale, Lovington
3 hail reports · closest 5 mi from Des Moines		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 Des Moines by year

806407908609410811712713514215316517518419320321522323424325326

When hail season peaks near Des Moines

Of the 101 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (22) and April (19).

Jan1Feb10Mar19Apr18May22Jun16Jul6Aug7Sep2OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Des Moines

Jul 9, 2021 · 3.25 in · Lovington (3 mi from Des Moines)

National Weather Service description (English): Picture via social media of 3.25 inch hail in Beaverdale. Time estimated via radar.

Jul 15, 2009 · 3 in (tea cup) · Johnston (7 mi from Des Moines)

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

Aug 19, 2022 · 3 in (tea cup) · Clover Hills (8 mi from Des Moines)

National Weather Service description (English): WOI-5 reported three inch hail at the station in West Des Moines.

May 8, 2014 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Lovington (5 mi from Des Moines)

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

Oct 1, 2019 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Des Moines (3 mi from Des Moines)

National Weather Service description (English): Public reported baseball sized hail via picture from social media.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Des Moines

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 15, 2024EF1Clive
8 mi from Des Moines		6.9 mi long, 300 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Johnston
7 mi from Des Moines		3.2 mi long, 100 yd wide
May 21, 2024EF2Rider
9 mi from Des Moines		17.6 mi long, 800 yd wide
Apr 26, 2024EF2Fort Des Moines
4 mi from Des Moines		7.6 mi long, 150 yd wide
Mar 5, 2022EF2Avon
6 mi from Des Moines		13.6 mi long, 400 yd wide
May 25, 2020EF1Lovington
6 mi from Des Moines		1.6 mi long, 50 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF0Enterprise
10 mi from Des Moines		0.9 mi long, 50 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF2Bondurant
9 mi from Des Moines		3.0 mi long, 100 yd wide
Nov 11, 2015EF0Des Moines Intl.
7 mi from Des Moines		2.6 mi long, 150 yd wide
Oct 2, 2007EF1Des Moines
2 mi from Des Moines		0.4 mi long, 20 yd wide
Jun 22, 2007EF1Norwalk
9 mi from Des Moines		3.0 mi long, 150 yd wide
Apr 2, 2006F0Pulaski
9 mi from Des Moines		0.1 mi long, 25 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Des Moines

448 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Des Moines since 2006, on 108 days. The strongest measured gust was 84 mph on Jul 18, 2010.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 8, 202666 mph, measuredDes Moines Int Airport, Clive, Des Moines
8 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 202658 mph, measuredAnkeny, Pleasant Hill
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 4, 202658 mph, measuredCarlisle, Des Moines Int Airport
3 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 2026damage reportedWindsor Heights
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 30, 202564 mph, estimatedCapitol Hgts
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 28, 202558 mph, estimatedUrbandale
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 24, 202563 mph, estimatedBondurant
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202574 mph, measuredDes Moines Intl., Avon, Hadden Hill
6 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 7, 202560 mph, estimatedLovington
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 26, 202561 mph, estimatedDes Moines
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 Des Moines; 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 Des Moines.

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