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Buena Vista County, IA hail & severe wind history
106 storm reports on file for Buena Vista County between 2010-04-12 and 2026-06-17 — 56 hail and 50 severe thunderstorm wind. That averages 6.2 reports a year, and Jun is the busiest month.
Hail reports
56
3.3 per year
Largest hail
2"
hen egg size · 2012-06-14
Strongest gust
85 mph
74 kt · 2024-05-21
Reported damage
$1.4M
property + crop, as filed
Storm days
46
distinct days with a report
Busiest year
2010
16 reports
Search every Buena Vista County report
Filter the full record below — pick a year, narrow to a month, or drag the hail-size slider to see only the storms big enough to dent a roof (1" and up is the usual threshold insurers care about).
106 of 106 reports match.
Reports by month for the current filter — the shape of Buena Vista County’s storm season.
| Date | Type | Size / gust | Nearest location | Report detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 02:32 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 1.89 mi NE of Truesdale | Wind gust measured by the Iowa Road Weather Information System site 2 miles northeast of Truesdale. |
| 2026-06-17 02:52 | Wind | 59 kt 68 mph | .85 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | Thunderstorm wind gust measured by AWOS station KSLB near Storm Lake. |
| 2026-06-17 17:28 | Wind | 59 kt 68 mph | 1.89 mi NE of Truesdale | Wind gust measured by Iowa Road Weather Information System site 2 miles northeast of Truesdale. |
| 2026-05-17 19:35 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | 1.53 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | Wind gust measured by the AWOS station KSLB at the Storm Lake Airport. |
| 2026-05-17 19:48 | Wind | 63 kt 72 mph | 3.45 mi S of Albert City | Wind gust measured by a personal weather station. |
| 2026-05-17 19:51 | Wind | 62 kt 71 mph | .69 mi S of Albert City | Wind gust measured by a personal weather station. |
| 2026-05-15 17:36 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 2.31 mi NNW of Storm Lake Arpt | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2026-05-15 17:43 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of Newell | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2026-05-15 19:24 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.14 mi WNW of Rembrandt | In addition to quarter sized hail, there were also some 1 to 2 inch diameter tree branches knocked down by gusty winds. |
| 2026-04-23 14:24 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.15 mi WNW of Alta | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2025-07-28 21:30 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .85 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at Storm Lake Municipal Airport (KSLB). |
| 2025-04-18 00:08 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.47 mi SSE of Alta | Winds were measured by a personal weather station. |
| 2025-04-18 00:10 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | .69 mi S of Storm Lake | Trees and power lines were downed in residential areas south of downtown Storm Lake. |
| 2025-04-18 00:10 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 0 mi N of Storm Lake | Tree, power line, and roof damage occurred along business Highway 71. Most roof damage was to metal roofing and building soffits, with one building suffering the collapse of an unsupported cinder block wall. Several semi-trucks were tipped over. A large hardwood tree trunk was snapped off above the ground. |
| 2025-04-18 00:19 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 2.06 mi NE of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Department of Highways |
| 2025-03-14 17:39 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 0 mi N of Juniata | A 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured by a personal weather station. |
| 2025-03-14 17:42 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 3.55 mi E of Truesdale | A 61 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured by a personal weather station. |
| 2025-03-14 17:46 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 2.06 mi NE of Truesdale | A 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured by the Iowa Department of Transportation mesonet site near Truesdale. |
| 2024-05-24 00:40 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .69 mi N of Newell | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2024-05-21 13:26 | Wind | 74 kt 85 mph | 3.45 mi N of Alta | Thunderstorm winds downed a wooden power pole, which caused failure of several adjacent poles. |
| 2024-05-21 13:27 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 4.18 mi N of Alta | Several large tree limbs were downed by thunderstorm winds. |
| 2024-05-21 13:30 | Wind | 74 kt 85 mph | 4.77 mi WNW of Truesdale | Several power poles were leaning due to thunderstorm winds. |
| 2024-05-21 13:34 | Wind | 74 kt 85 mph | 3.45 mi S of Linn Grove | Thunderstorm wind gusts blew a tree onto a house. |
| 2023-07-26 03:22 | Hail | 1" quarter | .51 mi E of Rembrandt | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2023-07-26 03:40 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of Albert City | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2023-07-26 03:41 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 0 mi N of Albert City | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2023-07-12 05:28 | Wind | 57 kt 66 mph | 2.06 mi NE of Truesdale | Thunderstorm wind gusts as high as 66 mph were measured by Iowa Road Weather Information System site RSLI4 2 miles northeast of Truesdale. |
| 2023-07-03 16:45 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 8.19 mi NNW of Alta | Row crops were badly damaged by hail up to golf ball size. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2023-06-24 20:59 | Hail | 1" quarter | 4.11 mi WNW of Truesdale | Quarter size hail resulted in approximately 200 strikes to a deputy squad car. Hail also damaged a nearby deputy's house. |
| 2023-06-24 21:18 | Hail | 1" quarter | 4.84 mi N of Alta | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2023-06-24 21:19 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 3.62 mi W of Truesdale | A power pole along 80th Avenue just south of Iowa Highway 3 was leaning, nearby corn was flattened, and large tree branches were broken due to thunderstorm winds. |
| 2023-06-24 21:20 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.67 mi WSW of Truesdale | Crop damage was done by strong winds. |
| 2023-06-24 21:26 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 1.67 mi ESE of Truesdale | Half-dollar size hail was accompanied by some strong winds. |
| 2022-08-03 05:19 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | .51 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | A thunderstorm wind gust of 70 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KSLB southwest of Storm Lake. |
| 2022-05-12 18:49 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.53 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | A thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KSLB 3 miles west-southwest of Lakeside. |
| 2021-12-15 17:01 | Wind | 64 kt 74 mph | .67 mi SSE of Hanover | Several large branches were downed by thunderstorm winds. |
| 2021-12-15 17:07 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 2.72 mi WNW of Storm Lake Arpt | Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree branches. |
| 2021-12-15 17:08 | Wind | 66 kt 76 mph | 1.04 mi N of Storm Lake Arpt | A large tree was uprooted by thunderstorm winds. |
| 2021-08-08 19:08 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 4.18 mi S of Albert City | A few large limbs from 1 to 3 inches in diameter were broken in a tree line. |
| 2021-06-16 19:43 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 6.95 mi SW of Linn Grove | An old refrigerator was displaced across the deck of a house by thunderstorm wind estimated from 60 to 70 mph. |
| 2021-06-16 19:43 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 6.95 mi SW of Linn Grove | Hail ranged in size from quarter to golf ball. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2021-06-16 20:00 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of Alta | Hail was accompanied by wind gusts to around 50 mph. |
| 2021-06-16 20:02 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 2.76 mi S of Alta | Considerable dime- to nickel-sized hail fell during a five-minute period accompanied by 40 to 50 mph winds. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2021-06-16 20:05 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.72 mi NW of Storm Lake Arpt | Mostly dime-sized hail fell, with a few stones as large as a quarter. Hail was accompanied by 40 to 50 mph wind gusts. |
| 2020-08-10 08:35 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 2.39 mi SW of Storm Lake Arpt | Damage occurred to crops in a small area southwest of the Storm Lake Airport. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2020-06-05 01:04 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 1.67 mi ESE of Alta | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2019-09-21 15:50 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 2.13 mi NNW of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2019-09-21 15:50 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.92 mi NNW of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2018-08-05 02:53 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 0 mi N of Rembrandt | A five inch diameter tree was snapped in half. |
| 2018-07-04 12:48 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .69 mi N of Sioux Rapids | Strong thunderstorm outflow knocked down power lines were and damaged numerous trees. Information was gleaned from social media. |
| 2018-05-09 18:10 | Wind | 45 kt 52 mph | 1.05 mi NNE of Linn Grove | Saturated ground along with sub-severe thunderstorm winds caused a large tree to fall on a vehicle. Two persons were injured, with one person requiring extrication from the vehicle, followed by transport by flight for medical treatment of severe injuries. |
| 2018-05-01 16:00 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | 4.95 mi NW of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2018-05-01 16:15 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 1.71 mi NE of Rembrandt | Quarter to half dollar size hail covering the road. |
| 2018-05-01 16:30 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 3.04 mi W of Marathon | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2018-05-01 16:34 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | 2.03 mi W of Marathon | Quarter to ping pong size hail. |
| 2018-05-01 16:35 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .51 mi W of Marathon | Report received via social media. |
| 2017-05-17 12:08 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 1.72 mi SE of Newell | Garage damaged. |
| 2017-05-17 12:08 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 2.15 mi ESE of Newell | Utility poles along Highway 7 tilted by the strong winds. |
| 2017-05-17 12:08 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 4.12 mi ESE of Newell | Damage to a hog barn. |
| 2017-05-17 12:08 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 1.53 mi E of Newell | Garage damaged. |
| 2017-03-06 15:35 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 4.11 mi E of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: COOP Observer |
| 2016-07-17 01:02 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 2.62 mi ENE of Linn Grove | Thunderstorm winds blew 3 empty grain silos off their foundations, and caused tree damage, including trees uprooted. |
| 2016-07-11 19:33 | Hail | 1" quarter | .86 mi SE of Storm Lake | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2016-07-11 19:38 | Hail | 0.75" penny | .69 mi N of Lakeside | No narrative filed · source: Law Enforcement |
| 2016-07-11 19:39 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .69 mi N of Lakeside | Thunderstorm winds caused minor tree damage. |
| 2016-04-24 16:55 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 3.12 mi ENE of Sioux Rapids | Thunderstorm winds caused minor tree damage. |
| 2015-06-22 07:36 | Hail | 0.75" penny | .69 mi N of Lakeside | No narrative filed · source: Law Enforcement |
| 2014-08-31 17:44 | Hail | 1" quarter | 3.13 mi WNW of Storm Lake Arpt | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2014-08-31 17:48 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.02 mi W of Storm Lake Lake | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2014-06-16 16:45 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | .69 mi N of Sioux Rapids | Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including numerous trees blown down. |
| 2013-06-15 10:00 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .69 mi N of Sioux Rapids | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. The winds also caused roof damage to homes. |
| 2012-09-06 21:48 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | .69 mi N of Newell | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2012-09-06 21:50 | Hail | 1" quarter | .69 mi N of Newell | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2012-06-14 17:05 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 0 mi N of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2012-06-14 17:10 | Hail | 0.75" penny | .69 mi N of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2012-06-14 17:15 | Hail | 1" quarter | 3.75 mi NE of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2012-06-14 17:22 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 4.76 mi WSW of Marathon | No narrative filed · source: Broadcast Media |
| 2012-06-14 17:25 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 2.63 mi WNW of Marathon | No narrative filed · source: Broadcast Media |
| 2012-06-14 17:30 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 3.49 mi N of Marathon | No narrative filed · source: Broadcast Media |
| 2012-06-14 17:30 | Hail | 2" hen egg | .86 mi NW of Marathon | Large hail dented vehicles. The amount of damage was not known. Crop damage was also suspected. |
| 2011-06-26 20:10 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 0 mi N of Storm Lake | Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines. |
| 2011-06-04 02:35 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .51 mi E of Storm Lake Arpt | No narrative filed · source: AWOS |
| 2011-06-01 19:35 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 2.15 mi ENE of Hanover | Hail was accompanied by rainfall measuring 1.20 inches. |
| 2011-05-12 18:12 | Hail | 1" quarter | 3.28 mi SE of Hanover | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2011-05-12 18:23 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.46 mi SW of Storm Lake Arpt | Large hail covered the ground. |
| 2011-04-09 20:15 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 2.76 mi N of Sulphur Spgs | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2011-04-09 21:04 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 0 mi N of Truesdale | No narrative filed · source: Broadcast Media |
| 2011-04-09 21:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 4.29 mi NE of Newell | Thunderstorm winds caused roof damage to outbuildings on a farmstead. |
| 2011-04-09 21:54 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | .69 mi N of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2011-04-09 22:04 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | .86 mi NE of Linn Grove | No narrative filed · source: Broadcast Media |
| 2010-08-08 19:20 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 1.53 mi E of Hanover | Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including numerous large branches blown down. The winds also bent a flag pole. |
| 2010-08-08 19:20 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 2.64 mi ESE of Storm Lake Arpt | Thunderstorm winds blew over a large semi truck, blocking the road and causing minor injuries to the driver. |
| 2010-08-08 19:25 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 1.38 mi N of Storm Lake | Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off a manufacturing plant, damaged docks and boats along the lake, caused widespread tree damage including numerous large trees blown down, blew down power lines and poles, resulting in power outages, damaged or destroyed several small sheds, blew down several awnings on businesses, sn… |
| 2010-07-22 00:39 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 6.08 mi W of Linn Grove | Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines and poles, causing power outages. The winds also caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. |
| 2010-07-17 23:50 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | .86 mi NW of Marathon | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. The winds were accompanied by heavy rain. |
| 2010-06-18 10:15 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 0 mi N of Storm Lake | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-06-18 11:30 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.23 mi SW of Lakeside | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-06-18 11:38 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.47 mi NNE of Juniata | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-06-18 11:47 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.47 mi NNE of Juniata | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-04-12 07:20 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 2.81 mi S of Linn Grove | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-04-12 12:07 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.53 mi W of Linn Grove | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2010-04-12 12:27 | Hail | 1" quarter | .69 mi N of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2010-04-12 12:27 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 2.03 mi E of Sioux Rapids | Hail covered the ground. |
| 2010-04-12 12:30 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | 0 mi N of Sioux Rapids | Large hail covered the ground. |
| 2010-04-12 12:30 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 4.11 mi E of Sioux Rapids | No narrative filed · source: COOP Observer |
| 2010-04-12 12:50 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 4.61 mi E of Sioux Rapids | Hail was accompanied by strong, but not damaging, winds. |
Worst storm days in Buena Vista County
| Date | Reports that day | Largest hail | Peak gust |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-06-14 | 7 | 2" (hen egg) | — |
| 2010-04-12 | 7 | 1.75" (golf ball) | — |
| 2021-06-16 | 5 | 1.75" (golf ball) | 70 mph |
| 2018-05-01 | 5 | 1.75" (golf ball) | — |
| 2011-04-09 | 5 | 1.75" (golf ball) | 60 mph |
| 2023-06-24 | 5 | 1.25" (half dollar) | 81 mph |
| 2010-06-18 | 4 | 1" (quarter) | — |
| 2025-04-18 | 4 | — | 81 mph |
| 2024-05-21 | 4 | — | 85 mph |
| 2017-05-17 | 4 | — | 81 mph |
Reports by year
Report counts are driven partly by how many people were around to report a storm, so recent years tend to look busier than the early 2010s. Treat the trend as a reporting trend, not purely a weather trend.
Notable large-hail events (2" and up)
| Date | Size | Near | What was reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-06-14 | 2" hen egg | .86 mi NW of Marathon | Large hail dented vehicles. The amount of damage was not known. Crop damage was also suspected. |
When does hail hit Buena Vista County?
Across 17 years of records, June produced the most reports (31), followed by the months either side of it. Monthly totals:
| Month | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.0% |
| February | 0 | 0.0% |
| March | 4 | 3.8% |
| April | 18 | 17.0% |
| May | 24 | 22.6% |
| June | 31 | 29.2% |
| July | 13 | 12.3% |
| August | 9 | 8.5% |
| September | 4 | 3.8% |
| October | 0 | 0.0% |
| November | 0 | 0.0% |
| December | 3 | 2.8% |
Nearby counties in Iowa
Polk County (645)Linn County (550)Scott County (434)Story County (328)Johnson County (295)Woodbury County (290)Dubuque County (272)Dallas County (268)Benton County (265)Warren County (255)Marion County (236)Buchanan County (226)
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About these numbers
Every row above is a report filed with the National Weather Service and archived in the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (FIPS 19021). Reports are eyewitness, trained-spotter and damage-survey observations, so they cluster near roads and towns and miss storms over empty country. Hail sizes are estimates. Damage figures are preliminary as filed and are never revised in this archive. Use this page for background, not for an insurance claim, a legal filing, or a roof assessment — for those, get the official record from NOAA directly.