Hail and tornadoes in Polk County, IA

Since January 2021, radar estimated hail somewhere in Polk County, IA on 87 days. The biggest estimate: 3 in or larger (teacup), on Tue, Sep 8, 2026. Hail was reported to the National Weather Service inside the county on 21 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

Tue, Sep 8, 2026

Largest reported

3.25 in

Fri, Jul 9, 2021

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 Tue, Sep 8, 2026 around the place, with the hail reported that day — Tue, Sep 8, 2026: radar-estimated hail around Polk County, IA, with the hail reported that day.

Hail on record since 1955

NOAA's Storm Events database lists 491 hail reports in Polk County, IA on 121 days, 26 of them 2 inches or larger. The largest: 3.25 in, near Lovington, on Fri, Jul 9, 2021.

By decade: 2000s: 205 · 2010s: 188 · 2020s: 98

Tornadoes since 1950

23 tornadoes have touched Polk County, IA since 1950, none of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger. They killed 0 and injured 3.

Strongest

Tue, May 21, 2024 · EF2 · 17.55 mi long, 800 yd wide · near Rider · 2 injuries
Fri, Apr 26, 2024 · EF2 · 7.61 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Ft Des Moines · 1 injury
Sat, Mar 5, 2022 · EF2 · 13.62 mi long, 400 yd wide · near Avon
Thu, Jul 19, 2018 · EF2 · 3.68 mi long, 130 yd wide · near Enterprise
Thu, Jul 19, 2018 · EF2 · 2.95 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Bondurant

Most recent

Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF1 · 6.88 mi long, 300 yd wide · near Clive
Tue, Jun 25, 2024 · EFU · 0.11 mi long, 30 yd wide · near Santiago
Fri, May 24, 2024 · EF0 · 1.52 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Enterprise
Fri, May 24, 2024 · EF0 · 3.2 mi long, 100 yd wide · near Johnston
Fri, May 24, 2024 · EF0 · 1.5 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Grimes
Tue, May 21, 2024 · EF2 · 17.55 mi long, 800 yd wide · near Rider · 2 injuries
Fri, Apr 26, 2024 · EF2 · 7.61 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Ft Des Moines · 1 injury
Sat, Apr 23, 2022 · EF0 · 2.43 mi long, 75 yd wide · near Crocker
Sat, Apr 23, 2022 · EFU · 0.75 mi long, 60 yd wide · near Crocker
Sat, Apr 23, 2022 · EF1 · 1.44 mi long, 80 yd wide · near Polk City

By decade: 2000s: 5 · 2010s: 6 · 2020s: 12

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: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Sep 15, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Sep 8, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
Reported in the county
- 2.25 in (Ankeny, IA)
- 1.5 in (2 E Ankeny, IA)
- 1.5 in (3 E Ankeny, IA)
- 1.25 in (4 SE Ankeny, IA)
- 1.75 in (1 NW Bondurant, IA)
- and 3 more
Tue, Jul 28, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 27, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 20, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (3 SSE Alleman, IA)
- 1 in (West Des Moines, IA)
Fri, Jul 3, 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: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.5 in (3 NE Windsor Heights, IA)
- 1 in (2 E Urbandale, IA)
- 1 in (2 NNE Windsor Heights, IA)
- 1 in (1 NE Windsor Heights, IA)
- 1 in (4 NW Polk City, IA)
Tue, Jun 16, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jun 11, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jun 10, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, May 18, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Apr 23, 2026
Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 NE Saylorville, IA)
Fri, Apr 17, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1.5 in (Des Moines, IA)
- 1 in (3 SSW Mitchellville, IA)
Wed, Apr 15, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (2 WSW Johnston, IA)
Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (2 W Ankeny, IA)
- 1 in (2 NNE Windsor Heights, IA)
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Sep 16, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Aug 6, 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.
Sun, Jul 27, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 22, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jul 20, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jul 18, 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.
Fri, Jul 11, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jul 10, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
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, Jun 23, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, May 19, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Bondurant, IA)
Thu, Apr 17, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Mar 29, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Mar 19, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
Reported in the county
- 1 in (Windsor Heights, IA)
Wed, Oct 30, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Oct 24, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Sep 19, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
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.
Tue, Jul 30, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (2 S Ankeny, IA)
- 1.25 in (1 NW Des Moines, IA)
- 1 in (1 NE Windsor Heights, IA)
- 1 in (3 SW Mitchellville, IA)
- 1.25 in (Des Moines Int Airport, IA)
Sun, Jul 28, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 24, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jul 15, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Jul 6, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 25, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (4 NW Runnells, IA)
Sat, Jun 22, 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)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, May 21, 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: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (3 E Des Moines Int Airp, IA)
Sun, May 19, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Apr 26, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Sep 19, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 10, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jul 28, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jul 11, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, May 7, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Apr 19, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 SE SAYLORVILLE, IA)
Tue, Apr 18, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Apr 4, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (3 NE DES MOINES, IA)
- 1 in (PLEASANT HILL, IA)
- 1 in (1 S WEST DES MOINES, IA)
Fri, Mar 31, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Sep 17, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (GRIMES, IA)
- 1 in (2 SE DES MOINES INT AIR, IA)
Sat, Aug 27, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 19, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (2 ENE DES MOINES, IA)
- 3 in (1 SE CLIVE, IA)
Sun, Aug 7, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Aug 1, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Jun 16, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, Jun 5, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 SE CLIVE, IA)
Thu, May 19, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, May 9, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Sun, May 8, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Apr 23, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Apr 22, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Mar 5, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 W ALTOONA, IA)
- 2.5 in (1 ESE PLEASANT HILL, IA)
Mon, Feb 21, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Mon, Jan 10, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Sep 30, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Sat, Aug 28, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Thu, Aug 26, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Aug 13, 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: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, Jul 14, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Fri, Jul 9, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
Reported in the county
- 3.25 in (2 ENE WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA)
- 1.75 in (GRIMES, IA)
Thu, Jun 24, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, Jun 22, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county
- 1.5 in (2 E JOHNSTON, IA)
- 1 in (1 NNW GRIMES, IA)
Sun, Jun 20, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Wed, May 26, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
Tue, May 25, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (2 WNW DES MOINES, IA)
- 1.25 in (2 WNW DES MOINES, IA)
Wed, Apr 7, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.

Check your own address →Weather in Polk 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.