Hail History

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Hail history for West Des Moines, 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 2006101
Days with hail 1 inch or larger64
Tornadoes within 10 miles14
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles431

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of West 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.

West Des Moines ranks #5 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near West Des Moines

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Jul 20, 20261 in
quarter		Waukee, West Des Moines
2 hail reports · closest 2 mi from West Des Moines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Windsor Heights, Urbandale
5 hail reports · closest 2 mi from West Des Moines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 19, 20251 in
quarter		Des Moines Intl., Commerce, Des Moines
3 hail reports · closest 3 mi from West Des Moines		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 20250.75 in
penny		Norwalk
1 hail report · closest 6 mi from West Des Moines		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 14, 20251 in
quarter		Windsor Hgts, Urbandale, Lovington
3 hail reports · closest 2 mi from West 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 West Des Moines by year

8064071008709410711412413514515416517618419320421422323524325226

When hail season peaks near West Des Moines

Of the 101 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (24) and April (19).

Jan1Feb8Mar19Apr15May24Jun18Jul8Aug5Sep2OctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near West Des Moines

Jul 9, 2021 · 3.25 in · Lovington (4 mi from West 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 West 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 (3 mi from West 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 (4 mi from West 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 West Des Moines)

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

Tornadoes within 10 miles of West Des Moines

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 15, 2024EF1Clive
5 mi from West Des Moines		6.9 mi long, 300 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Grimes
10 mi from West Des Moines		1.5 mi long, 50 yd wide
May 24, 2024EF0Johnston
6 mi from West Des Moines		3.2 mi long, 100 yd wide
May 21, 2024EF2Rider
7 mi from West Des Moines		17.6 mi long, 800 yd wide
Apr 26, 2024EF0Bevington
9 mi from West Des Moines		2.3 mi long, 50 yd wide
Apr 26, 2024EF0Booneville
7 mi from West Des Moines		1.4 mi long, 50 yd wide
Apr 26, 2024EF2Fort Des Moines
7 mi from West Des Moines		7.6 mi long, 150 yd wide
Mar 5, 2022EF2Avon
8 mi from West Des Moines		13.6 mi long, 400 yd wide
May 26, 2020EF0Waukee
9 mi from West Des Moines		0.9 mi long, 40 yd wide
May 25, 2020EF1Lovington
6 mi from West Des Moines		1.6 mi long, 50 yd wide
Nov 11, 2015EF0Des Moines Intl.
5 mi from West Des Moines		2.6 mi long, 150 yd wide
Oct 2, 2007EF1Des Moines
4 mi from West Des Moines		0.4 mi long, 20 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near West Des Moines

431 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of West 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, 2026damage reportedPleasant Hill
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 4, 202658 mph, measuredDes Moines Int Airport
2 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 11, 202574 mph, measuredDes Moines Intl., Avon, Waukee
5 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 7, 202560 mph, estimatedLovington
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 26, 202563 mph, measuredBevington, Des Moines
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 23, 202562 mph, measuredDes Moines Intl.
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 West 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 West Des Moines.

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