Hail History

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Hail history for Altoona, IA

Last hail within 10 milesSep 8, 20261.5 in (ping pong ball)
Hail days, last 12 months1
Largest hail since 20062.5 in (tennis ball)Mar 5, 2022
Hail days since 200656
Days with hail 1 inch or larger35
Tornadoes within 10 miles13
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles187

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Altoona on 56 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2.5 in (tennis ball) on Mar 5, 2022. Hail is most common here in May and July.

Recent hail near Altoona

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Sep 8, 20262.25 inAnkeny, Bondurant, Mitchellville
9 hail reports · closest 2 mi from Altoona		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 19, 20251 in
quarter		Bondurant, Altoona, Des Moines
3 hail reports · closest near the center of Altoona		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 20251 in
quarter		Clarkson
1 hail report · closest 10 mi from Altoona		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 Altoona by year

406307608309110411612313114115316117418219120121322223424225126

When hail season peaks near Altoona

Of the 56 hail days since 2006, most fell in May (14) and July (10).

Jan1Feb5Mar9Apr14May8Jun10Jul4Aug4Sep1OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Altoona

Mar 5, 2022 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Hastie (5 mi from Altoona)

National Weather Service description (English): Public report of 2.5 inch or greater hail stones in Pleasant Hill via Twitter.

Sep 8, 2026 · 2.25 in · Ankeny (9 mi from Altoona)

Sep 1, 2018 · 2 in (hen egg) · Norwoodville (5 mi from Altoona)

National Weather Service description (English): WHO relayed reports of 2 inch hail in the Norwoodville Neighborhood. Time estimated from radar.

Mar 8, 2006 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Clio (5 mi from Altoona)

Jul 15, 2009 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Carney (8 mi from Altoona)

National Weather Service description (English): Public reports hail measuring 1.5 to 1.75 inches about one half mile south of DMACC in Ankeny.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Altoona

DateRatingWherePath
Jun 25, 2024EF?Santiago
5 mi from Altoona		0.1 mi long, 30 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Enterprise
8 mi from Altoona		1.5 mi long, 50 yd wide
Apr 26, 2024EF2Fort Des Moines
9 mi from Altoona		7.6 mi long, 150 yd wide
Mar 5, 2022EF2Vandalia
6 mi from Altoona		19.3 mi long, 400 yd wide
Sep 22, 2019EF?Bondurant
4 mi from Altoona		1.6 mi long, 25 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF0Enterprise
9 mi from Altoona		0.9 mi long, 50 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF2Bondurant
4 mi from Altoona		3.0 mi long, 100 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF2Enterprise
6 mi from Altoona		3.7 mi long, 130 yd wide
Jul 19, 2018EF0Colfax
7 mi from Altoona		2.4 mi long, 60 yd wide
Jul 27, 2008EF0Valeria
10 mi from Altoona		0.3 mi long, 20 yd wide
Oct 2, 2007EF1Des Moines
10 mi from Altoona		0.4 mi long, 20 yd wide
Apr 2, 2006F0Pulaski
10 mi from Altoona		0.1 mi long, 25 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Altoona

187 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Altoona since 2006, on 68 days. The strongest measured gust was 78 mph on Aug 10, 2020.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 8, 202671 mph, measuredAnkeny, Des Moines, Mitchellville
7 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 20, 202661 mph, measuredMitchellville, Pleasant Hill
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 4, 202658 mph, measuredCarlisle
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 30, 202564 mph, estimatedCapitol Hgts
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 24, 202563 mph, estimatedBondurant, Elkhart
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202574 mph, estimatedAvon, Altoona, Elkhart
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 26, 202561 mph, estimatedDes Moines
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 23, 202564 mph, estimatedCapitol Hgts, Altoona
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 202572 mph, measuredCapitol Hgts, Carney, Youngstown
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 31, 202463 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 Altoona; 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 Altoona.

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