Hail History

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Hail history for Spirit Lake, IA

Last hail within 10 milesAug 9, 20260.7 in
Hail days, last 12 months3
Largest hail since 20062.5 in (tennis ball)Aug 9, 2026
Hail days since 200636
Days with hail 1 inch or larger21
Tornadoes within 10 miles5
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles79

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Spirit Lake on 36 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2.5 in (tennis ball) on Aug 9, 2026. Hail is most common here in June and July.

Recent hail near Spirit Lake

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 9, 20262.5 in
tennis ball		West Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Milford
4 hail reports · closest 5 mi from Spirit Lake		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 15, 20261 in
quarter		Terril
1 hail report · closest 7 mi from Spirit Lake		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 13, 20260.75 in
penny		Arnolds Park
1 hail report · closest 6 mi from Spirit Lake		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 11, 20250.75 in
penny		Spirit Lake
1 hail report · closest 1 mi from Spirit Lake		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 28, 20250.75 in
penny		Jackson
1 hail report · closest 7 mi from Spirit Lake		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 20250.88 in
nickel		Lake Park
2 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Spirit Lake		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 Spirit Lake by year

106207108209110111121132141511621731831932021422123224325326

When hail season peaks near Spirit Lake

Of the 36 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (11) and July (9).

JanFebMar5Apr5May11Jun9Jul4Aug1Sep1OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Spirit Lake

Aug 9, 2026 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · West Okoboji (5 mi from Spirit Lake)

Jun 10, 2016 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Triboji Beach (4 mi from Spirit Lake)

May 8, 2018 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Fuller Field Airport (7 mi from Spirit Lake)

Jun 4, 2020 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Fuller Field Airport (8 mi from Spirit Lake)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail varied in size from quarters to golf balls. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

May 30, 2022 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Triboji Beach (4 mi from Spirit Lake)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Spirit Lake

DateRatingWherePath
May 17, 2026EF?Terril
8 mi from Spirit Lake		0.6 mi long, 25 yd wide
Aug 29, 2024EF?Spirit Lake Lake
3 mi from Spirit Lake		0.8 mi long, 25 yd wide
Jun 17, 2019EF?Terril
8 mi from Spirit Lake		0.8 mi long, 10 yd wide
Sep 20, 2018EF1Superior
6 mi from Spirit Lake		3.9 mi long, 25 yd wide
Sep 20, 2018EF0Estherville
9 mi from Spirit Lake		1.2 mi long, 35 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Spirit Lake

79 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Spirit Lake since 2006, on 37 days. The strongest measured gust was 97 mph on Jul 17, 2010.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Jul 25, 202653 mph, measuredSpirit Lake
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 30, 202674 mph, estimatedOrleans, Arnolds Park
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
May 17, 202658 mph, measuredArnolds Park
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
May 15, 202660 mph, measuredArnolds Park
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 28, 202570 mph, estimatedSpirit Lake
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 27, 202570 mph, estimatedSpirit Lake
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 11, 202560 mph, estimatedFuller Field Airport, Terril
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 28, 202560 mph, estimatedTerril
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 17, 202475 mph, estimatedWahpeton, Orleans
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 15, 202475 mph, estimatedSpirit Lake
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 Spirit Lake; 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 Spirit Lake.

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