Hail History

Home › Iowa › Polk County › Grimes

Hail history for Grimes, IA

Last hail within 10 milesJul 20, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months2
Largest hail since 20063.25 inJul 9, 2021
Hail days since 200682
Days with hail 1 inch or larger54
Tornadoes within 10 miles13
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles382

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Grimes on 82 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3.25 in on Jul 9, 2021. Hail is most common here in June and May.

Recent hail near Grimes

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Jul 20, 20261 in
quarter		Waukee, West Des Moines
2 hail reports · closest 7 mi from Grimes		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Polk City
6 hail reports · closest 6 mi from Grimes		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 19, 20251 in
quarter		Commerce, Oralabor
2 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Grimes		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 20251 in
quarter		Windsor Hgts, Urbandale, Lovington
3 hail reports · closest 5 mi from Grimes		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 Grimes by year

506507808709310511312613314115316417718319320321422223324225226

When hail season peaks near Grimes

Of the 82 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (17) and May (17).

Jan1Feb5Mar13Apr17May17Jun16Jul6Aug5Sep1OctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near Grimes

Jul 9, 2021 · 3.25 in · Lovington (8 mi from Grimes)

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 (5 mi from Grimes)

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

Aug 19, 2022 · 3 in (tea cup) · Clover Hills (6 mi from Grimes)

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 (6 mi from Grimes)

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

Sep 1, 2018 · 2 in (hen egg) · Lovington (5 mi from Grimes)

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

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Grimes

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 15, 2024EF1Clive
3 mi from Grimes		6.9 mi long, 300 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Ortonville
9 mi from Grimes		7.7 mi long, 80 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Grimes
1 mi from Grimes		1.5 mi long, 50 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Johnston
5 mi from Grimes		3.2 mi long, 100 yd wide
May 21, 2024EF2Rider
2 mi from Grimes		17.6 mi long, 800 yd wide
Apr 23, 2022EF0Crocker
9 mi from Grimes		2.4 mi long, 75 yd wide
May 26, 2020EF0Waukee
7 mi from Grimes		0.9 mi long, 40 yd wide
May 26, 2020EF?Shuler Mine
7 mi from Grimes		1.7 mi long, 30 yd wide
May 25, 2020EF1Lovington
5 mi from Grimes		1.6 mi long, 50 yd wide
Sep 9, 2019EF?Dallas Center
9 mi from Grimes		1.4 mi long, 10 yd wide
May 19, 2013EF1Shuler Mine
6 mi from Grimes		1.4 mi long, 100 yd wide
Jun 7, 2009EF0Ortonville
10 mi from Grimes		1.9 mi long, 125 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Grimes

382 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Grimes since 2006, on 100 days. The strongest measured gust was 84 mph on Jul 18, 2010.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 8, 202674 mph, measuredMadrid, Clive, Des Moines
4 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 13, 202659 mph, measuredPolk City
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 202658 mph, measuredAnkeny, Madrid
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 2026damage reportedWindsor Heights
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 28, 202558 mph, estimatedUrbandale
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202570 mph, measuredWaukee, Hadden Hill, Clover Hills
4 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 31, 202463 mph, estimatedDes Moines
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 30, 202466 mph, measuredGrimes, Des Moines
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 Grimes; 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 Grimes.

Run a roofing company or a local news site? Show Grimes's hail history on your website with our free widget →

Roofing or restoration company? Get an email within the hour when hail is reported near Grimes with our hail alerts ($29 a month) →