Cedar Rapids hail storm history
Linn County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Cedar Rapids, located in Linn County in eastern Iowa, has experienced 1 documented hail event of 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years. The largest recorded hailstone in the county measured 1.5 inches in diameter, which falls into the significant damage threshold for standard residential roofing. With an average frequency of 0.1 events per year, Cedar Rapids residents face a relatively low but non-negligible hail risk compared to western Iowa.
Hail in the Cedar Rapids area peaks during May and June, when organized mesoscale convective systems and squall lines track northeast from the central Plains. April and July represent secondary risk months, and summer derecho events also contribute to hail production along this corridor. The most recent significant hail event in Cedar Rapids occurred on August 15, 2025, when a trained storm spotter documented 1.5-inch diameter 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.
Linn County's hail record is limited to 2 documented events of 1 inch or larger in NOAA's Storm Events Database, reflecting both lower hail frequency in eastern Iowa and potential gaps in storm spotter coverage in rural areas. The single significant event (≥1.5 inches) provides a reliable baseline for functional roof damage risk, though the small sample size means individual storms can shift the statistical picture year to year. Current-year data is excluded from the annual frequency table until October, when NOAA's Storm Events Database has processed the full hail season accounting for the standard 75-day reporting lag.
NOAA Storm Events Database source