Cedar Rapids hail storm history
Linn County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Cedar Rapids sits in Linn County, eastern Iowa, along a corridor where organized thunderstorm complexes and squall lines track northeast from the central Plains. This geography makes the Cedar Rapids area a regular recipient of hail-producing convection during spring and early summer months.
Check if your roof was damaged by recent hail
Hail risk in Cedar Rapids peaks during May and June, when atmospheric conditions favor organized mesoscale convective systems and squall lines capable of producing widespread impacts across the region. Secondary risk extends into April and July, with summer derecho events also affecting this corridor with damaging wind and hail.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 182 recorded events, 50 (27%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
A trained spotter reported 1.5 inch diameter hail.
A trained spotter reported dime to nickel size hail occurring right now.
Dime to nickel size hail.
Quarter size hail, with also a large accumulation of small hail.
A lot of penny size hail with some as big as quarters. The time was estimated by radar data.
Confirmed spotter report with photo 1 Mile north of Center Junction, Iowa.
One inch tree branches were also blown down by the thunderstorm winds.
One inch hail and a wind gust of 54 mph.
A public report of hail that was mostly pea sized but a few stones were quarters.
The Emergency Manager reported quarter size fell just south of Vinton.
A trained spotter reported that quarter to ping pong ball size hail was falling right now.
Nickel to quarter size hail covering the ground.
A public report of quarter sized near Kirkwood Community College received via Facebook.
The spotter also estimated winds at 55 mph.
Estimated 60 mph winds also reported.
A member of the public reported hail ranging in size from dime to quarter size.
Measured by KGAN studios.
The county emergency manager reported penny size hail 5 miles southwest of Manchester.
This report was relayed to the NWS by the Benton County emergency manager.
Hail was reported to be a mix of pea to quarter size.
A delayed public report was received via social media of hail up to the size of pennies. The hail la…
A trained spotter reported hail up to the size of quarters.
A trained spotter reported a mix of pea to nickel size hail at their location.
Hail was accompanied by 40 to 50 mph winds.
The report was relayed from law enforcement.
A spotter reported the hail near I-380 mile marker 32.
The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Local broadcast media relayed a public report of golf ball sized hail.
Report was received via Social Media.
Law Enforcement reported nickel sized hail and estimated wind speeds of 50 mph. Time of the event wa…
Law enforcement reported dime size hail.
A report relayed by local broadcast media of pea to nickel sized hail.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database. Publication lag is approximately 75 days — current-year events may be incomplete.
NOAA Storm Events Database ↗