Hail and tornadoes in Buena Vista County, IA

Since January 2021, radar estimated hail somewhere in Buena Vista County, IA on 63 days. The biggest estimate: 3 in or larger (teacup), on Mon, Jul 3, 2023. Hail was reported to the National Weather Service inside the county on 7 days.

Still loading: radar estimates go back to Wed, Oct 14, 2020, and the earlier years are being added.

Days with hail

since January 2021

1 inch or larger

days, estimated or reported

Largest radar estimate

3+ in

Mon, Jul 3, 2023

Largest reported

1.75 in

Mon, Jul 3, 2023

Radar estimates are NOAA's MESH: the largest hail the radar estimates aloft, on cells about 0.7 mile across, shown as the lower bound of a size band (“1.5+”). They often run larger than what reached the ground, and they aren't evidence of damage at any address.

Hail on record since 1955

NOAA's Storm Events database lists 94 hail reports in Buena Vista County, IA on 40 days, 1 of them 2 inches or larger. The largest: 2 in, near Marathon, on Thu, Jun 14, 2012.

By decade: 2000s: 38 · 2010s: 39 · 2020s: 17

Tornadoes since 1950

18 tornadoes have touched Buena Vista County, IA since 1950, none of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Strongest

Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF2 · 4.77 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Rembrandt
Sat, Apr 9, 2011 · EF2 · 3.78 mi long, 1,320 yd wide · near Newell
Sat, Apr 9, 2011 · EF2 · 0.35 mi long, 220 yd wide · near Newell
Tue, May 21, 2024 · EF1 · 1.64 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Truesdale
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF1 · 6.37 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Hanover

Most recent

Sun, May 17, 2026 · EFU · 2.2 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Sulphur Spgs
Tue, May 21, 2024 · EF1 · 1.64 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Truesdale
Sat, May 13, 2023 · EF0 · 1.96 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Newell
Sat, May 13, 2023 · EFU · 0.99 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Storm Lake Airport
Sat, May 13, 2023 · EFU · 0.01 mi long, 10 yd wide · near Storm Lake Airport
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF2 · 4.77 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Rembrandt
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF1 · 6.94 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Alta
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF1 · 6.37 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Hanover
Sun, Aug 8, 2021 · EFU · 0.31 mi long, 20 yd wide · near Albert City
Sun, Aug 5, 2018 · EF0 · 0.27 mi long, 25 yd wide · near Linn Grove

By decade: 2000s: 1 · 2010s: 8 · 2020s: 9

Still loading: NOAA's record goes back to 1950, and 2003 onward is in so far.

Every hail day since January 2021

Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Sep 6, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Sep 5, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 10, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 6, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jul 4, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 16, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 9, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, May 17, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, May 15, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Newell, IA)
Thu, Apr 23, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (2 WNW Alta, IA)
Mon, Apr 13, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 15, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 8, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Aug 5, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 29, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 23, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 15, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 25, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jun 16, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jun 14, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 11, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Apr 17, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 29, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 26, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jul 28, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jun 21, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 18, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, May 23, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (Newell, IA)
Mon, May 20, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, May 12, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Sep 18, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 21, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 25, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Rembrandt, IA)
- 1 in (Albert City, IA)
Tue, Jul 11, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 3, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
Reported in the county
- 1.75 in (6 NE Aurelia, IA)
Sat, Jun 24, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (2 ESE Truesdale, IA)
- 1 in (4 NW Truesdale, IA)
Fri, Jun 23, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, May 12, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jan 6, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Aug 2, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 5, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, May 29, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, May 28, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, May 19, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, May 10, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Apr 18, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Apr 12, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jan 10, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Dec 15, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Sep 13, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 14, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 13, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 16, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (ALTA, IA)
- 1.75 in (7 S PETERSON, IA)

Check your own address →Weather in Buena Vista County, IA now →Get warned before the next storm →

Radar estimates and reports are for anywhere inside the county's boundary. Radar estimates come from NOAA's MRMS estimated hail size (MESH), the largest hail the radar estimates aloft on a ~1 km grid. They often run larger than the hail that reached the ground, and they aren't an observation at any address. Reports are what people reported to the National Weather Service. Neither is proof of damage or an official record for an insurance claim. From NOAA's Storm Events Database (NCEI), which records tornadoes from 1950, hail and thunderstorm wind from 1955, and every kind of storm from 1996. A tornado that crossed county lines is counted in each county it touched. Recent months are added as NCEI publishes them, a few months behind. Damage is in the dollars of its year and is often an estimate.