Hail and tornadoes in O'Brien County, IA

Since December 2020, radar estimated hail somewhere in O'Brien County, IA on 89 days. The biggest estimate: 3 in or larger (teacup), on Sat, May 6, 2023. Hail was reported to the National Weather Service inside the county on 17 days.

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

Days with hail

since December 2020

1 inch or larger

days, estimated or reported

Largest radar estimate

3+ in

Sat, May 6, 2023

Largest reported

2 in

Mon, Sep 22, 2025

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.

Radar-estimated hail on Sat, May 6, 2023 around the place, with the hail reported that day — Sat, May 6, 2023: radar-estimated hail around O'Brien County, IA, with the hail reported that day.

Hail on record since 1955

NOAA's Storm Events database lists 187 hail reports in O'Brien County, IA on 87 days, 9 of them 2 inches or larger. The largest: 4 in, near Sheldon, on Thu, Jul 9, 2009.

By decade: 1990s: 11 · 2000s: 91 · 2010s: 43 · 2020s: 42

Tornadoes since 1950

23 tornadoes have touched O'Brien County, IA since 1950, none of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Strongest

Wed, Jun 11, 2008 · EF2 · 5.73 mi long, 300 yd wide · near Calumet
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF1 · 3.85 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Calumet
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 · EF1 · 3.27 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Germantown
Wed, Jun 11, 2008 · EF1 · 0.86 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Calumet
Wed, Jun 13, 2001 · F1 · 7 mi long, 200 yd wide · near Calumet

Most recent

Mon, Apr 13, 2026 · EFU · 0.88 mi long, 25 yd wide · near Archer
Sat, Jul 20, 2024 · EFU · 0.62 mi long, 25 yd wide · near Primghar
Fri, May 31, 2024 · EF0 · 0.95 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Sheldon Muni Airport
Wed, Dec 15, 2021 · EF1 · 3.85 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Calumet
Fri, Oct 23, 2015 · EF0 · 0.17 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Sheldon
Sun, May 11, 2014 · EF0 · 0.49 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Sheldon
Fri, May 4, 2012 · EF0 · 0.5 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Primghar
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 · EF1 · 3.27 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Germantown
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 · EF0 · 0.58 mi long, 200 yd wide · near Philby
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 · EF0 · 0.06 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Paullina Muni Airport

By decade: 1990s: 1 · 2000s: 11 · 2010s: 7 · 2020s: 4

Still loading: NOAA's record goes back to 1950, and 1995 onward is in so far.

Every hail day since December 2020

Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Sep 13, 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: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Sep 1, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 6, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 3, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jul 4, 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: 1 in or larger (quarter)
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.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Sanborn, IA)
Sun, May 24, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (Sanborn, IA)
Mon, May 18, 2026
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Sanborn, IA)
Sun, May 17, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.75 in (3 S Sanborn, IA)
Fri, May 15, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Apr 23, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Apr 13, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.75 in (3 NNE Archer, IA)
- 1.75 in (4 SE Granville, IA)
Tue, Dec 23, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Sep 22, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Primghar, IA)
- 1 in (3 WSW Primghar, IA)
- 2 in (4 N Sutherland, IA)
- 2 in (Sutherland, IA)
Tue, Sep 16, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.75 in (3 NNW Hartley, IA)
- 1.25 in (4 SW Melvin, IA)
Mon, Aug 11, 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: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
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.
Sun, Jul 13, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 9, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 7, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jun 28, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 17, 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 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
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.
Mon, Apr 28, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Apr 17, 2025
Reported in the county
- 1.5 in (2 S Archer, IA)
Thu, Aug 29, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Aug 4, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 10, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 2 in (2 ENE Sheldon, IA)
Mon, Jul 1, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jun 21, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jun 17, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jun 16, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jun 15, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, May 20, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Sanborn, IA)
- 1.75 in (Sanborn, IA)
- 1 in (3 ENE Sanborn, IA)
Tue, Apr 30, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Apr 26, 2024
Reported in the county
- 1 in (5 SSW Paullina, IA)
Thu, Sep 21, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Sep 20, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 24, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Aug 22, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 11, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Aug 5, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jul 27, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 26, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
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
- 1.75 in (4 NNE Sutherland, IA)
Thu, Jul 13, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1.5 in (1 N Hartley, IA)
Mon, Jul 10, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.75 in (4 NNE Sheldon, IA)
Wed, May 31, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, May 6, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Apr 19, 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: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 18, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (SANBORN, IA)
Thu, Aug 11, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jul 14, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 5, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jul 1, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jun 24, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 1, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, May 30, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (HARTLEY, IA)
Thu, May 12, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, May 11, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, May 10, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Apr 22, 2022
Reported in the county
- 1 in (SHELDON, IA)
Thu, Apr 21, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
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.
Sun, Oct 17, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Oct 12, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Sep 10, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Sep 6, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 30, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Aug 10, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 9, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 6, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 2, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 26, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jul 25, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
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.
Mon, Jul 5, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 16, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 15, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.

Check your own address →Weather in O'Brien 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.