Polk County Storm Activity
Wind, hail, and tornado activity from official NOAA sources (NWS & SPC) · Last 12 months · Updated Sep 11, 2026
Polk County, Iowa has recorded tornado activity: official National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) records list 1 tornado report among 52 severe weather events here in the last 12 months, alongside 14 hail reports with hail up to 2.25" and 37 high-wind reports with gusts up to 75 mph. The most recent recorded storm activity was in September 2026. This page updates daily: every event comes straight from official NOAA data — no estimates, no modeling, just the record.
What the radar showed
Last 30 days in Polk County
Recent storms — full detail available in the app
Storm activity from the last 30 days is summarized at the county level on this page. Exact locations, radar snapshots, and official warning boundaries for recent events are available with a free account.
See the specifics — free →Storm log — the official record, day by day
Events older than 30 days, as recorded by the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center. Excerpts are quoted directly from official warnings and verified reports.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — wind gusts up to 61 mph
“Measured from personal weather station. (DMX)”
- Wind 61 mph 2 NW Alleman SPC verified report
Sunday, July 19, 2026
5 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 1", wind gusts up to 61 mph
“measured from personal weather station. (DMX)”
“Measured from personal weather station. (DMX)”
- Wind 61 mph 3 NW Mitchellville SPC verified report
- Wind 58 mph 2 W Ankeny SPC verified report
- Hail 1" West Des Moines SPC verified report
- Hail 1" 3 SSE Alleman SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 2 W Pleasant Hill SPC verified report
Friday, July 3, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report · 2 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 58 mph
“At 702 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Huxley to Adventureland Amusement Park to Southridge Mall. Movement was east at 25 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and additional rainfall of one two inches. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
“At 738 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 4 miles northeast of Prairie City to 5 miles northeast of Pleasantville to 7 miles northwest of Melcher-Dallas. Movement was east at 30 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and additional rainfall up to one inch. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
- Wind 55 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 58 mph Des Moines Int Airport SPC verified report
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, July 2, 2026
4 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 1.5"
“Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). (DMX)”
“Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). (DMX)”
- Hail 1.5" 3 NE Windsor Heights SPC verified report
- Hail 1" 4 NW Polk City SPC verified report
- Hail 1" 1 NE Windsor Heights SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 2 SE Windsor Heights SPC verified report
Thursday, June 11, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports
“Healthy medium size sugar maple tree snapped from the roots. Time estimated via radar. (DMX)”
“Received report of tree down blocking IA-141. Time estimated from radar. (DMX)”
- Wind Unknown Altoona SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 2 NNE Grimes SPC verified report
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report
“Received photo via social media of fallen tree on fence in Altoona. (DMX)”
- Wind Unknown 1 SE Altoona SPC verified report
Monday, May 18, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“WHAT...Gusty east to southeast winds will occur on the backside of the departing thunderstorms. Gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected and may last up to an hour. WHERE...Much of Central, North Central and South Central Iowa. WHEN...During the pre-dawn hours this morning. IMPACTS...Unsecured outdoor objects may be blown around and smaller tree branches may break.”
- Wind 55 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Sunday, May 17, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report
“Delayed report - received photos via social media of downed tree limbs. Time estimated from radar. (DMX)”
- Wind Unknown 2 SSW Des Moines SPC verified report
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
3 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 1", wind gusts up to 59 mph, 1 tornado report
“Trained spotter reports tornado on the ground. (DMX)”
“Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). (DMX)”
- Tornado Tornado 4 S Mitchellville SPC verified report
- Wind 59 mph Des Moines Int Airport SPC verified report
- Hail 1" 1 NE Saylorville SPC verified report
Friday, April 17, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports · 1 NWS warning — hail up to 1.5"
“Multiple reports across the metro of 1 to 1.5 inch hail. Time/location estimated from radar. (DMX)”
“At 616 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Van Meter, or 7 miles southeast of Adel, moving northeast at 55 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Hail 1.5" Des Moines SPC verified report
- Hail 0.88" Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 1" 3 SSW Mitchellville SPC verified report
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — hail up to 1"
“Trained spotter sent a picture of a hail stone 1 inch in diameter. (DMX)”
- Hail 1" 2 WSW Johnston SPC verified report
Sunday, March 29, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 1"
“Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). (DMX)”
- Hail 1" 2 NNE Windsor Heights SPC verified report
- Hail 1" 2 W Ankeny SPC verified report
Sunday, March 15, 2026
3 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPING AND PERSISTING TONIGHT... .A significant winter storm will move across the area through tonight. Widespread snow will fall across Iowa with higher amounts of 6+ inches possible north and east. Winds will gust 55 to 65+ mph, resulting in significant drifting of snow and visibility reductions to white-out conditions at times.”
“WHAT...Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 to 65 mph expected. The highest wind gusts will be late this afternoon and this evening. WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northeast, northwest, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Iowa. WHEN...Until 4 AM CDT Monday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible.”
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY MORNING... .A significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from Sunday through Monday morning. Widespread snow will fall across Iowa with higher amounts of 6+ inches possible north and east. Winds will gust 55-65+ mph, resulting in significant drifting of snow and visibility reductions.”
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, March 13, 2026
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT this morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT this morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, March 12, 2026
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT Friday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
“WHAT...West to northwest winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa. WHEN...From 10 PM tonight to 10 AM CDT Friday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
- Wind 65 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Continue This Afternoon... .Strong and gusty west winds combined with very low relative humidity and cured fuels are resulting in conditions conducive for rapid fire growth. AFFECTED AREA...All of central Iowa. WIND...West wind 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity values of 15 to 25%.”
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“...Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Expected Wednesday... .Strong and gusty west wind combined with very low relative humidity and cured fuels will lead to conditions conducive for very fast fire growth. The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM CST Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.”
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, January 16, 2026
2 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“...PERIODS OF SNOW SHOWERS OR SNOW SQUALLS POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY EVENING... .Snow showers and snow squalls remain possible through early this evening. This activity may bring brief but intense snow rates, which will reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less at times, and quickly cover roads creating hazardous travel conditions.”
“...LOCALIZED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN SNOW SQUALLS TODAY... .Snow showers and snow squalls will become more widespread this afternoon as a cold front arrives from northwest. This activity will move southeast by the afternoon before diminishing tonight.”
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Polk County NWS severe weather mention
Today's severe weather outlook
Common questions
When was the last severe storm in Polk County, IA?
The most recent recorded event was in September 2026. Official NWS and SPC records show 52 severe weather events in Polk County over the last 12 months. Exact dates and locations for recent storms are available in the app with a free account.
Has there been hail in Polk County recently?
Yes — 14 hail reports in the last 12 months, with hail up to 2.25" recorded.
How do I check whether a specific address was affected?
Create a free IDOLCheck account and run an address check. It shows verified storm reports and official NWS warning boundaries around any specific property — county-level pages like this one only tell part of the story.