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HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Alta, IA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Alta, IA from August 16, 1973 through April 23, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 51002 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
18
Wind Reports
15
Tornado Reports
5
Max Hail Size
1.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Alta, IA · 1973–present Updated  Daily · last Apr 23, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Alta, IA

18 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Apr 23, 2026
8:24 PM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 WNW Alta, IA
1.75″ hail
Jul 3, 2023
10:45 PM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Ground is covered while with golf ball sized hail... and row crops are badly damaged.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 NE Aurelia, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 26, 2023
3:18 AM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Picture sent to NWS with coin reference.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 N Alta, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 17, 2021
2:05 AM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: MOSTLY DIME... BUT A FEW QUARTER SIZED HAIL STONES. ALSO ABOUT 40 TO 50 MPH WIND GUSTS.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SSE Alta, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 17, 2021
2:00 AM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: WIND GUSTS ALSO UP TO ABOUT 50 MPH.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alta, IA
1.25″ hail
Jun 6, 2020
7:04 AM UTC
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 ESE Alta, IA
1.00″ hail
Aug 31, 2014
5:44 PM CST-6
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3.13 WNW Storm Lake Arpt, IA
1.25″ hail
Jun 1, 2011
7:35 PM CST-6
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail was accompanied by rainfall measuring 1.20 inches.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.15 ENE Hanover, IA
1.00″ hail
May 12, 2011
6:23 PM CST-6
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Large hail covered the ground.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.46 SW Storm Lake Arpt, IA
1.00″ hail
May 12, 2011
6:12 PM CST-6
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3.28 SE Hanover, IA
0.75″ hail
Mar 7, 2006
11:20 AM CST
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SW Alta, IA
0.88″ hail
May 24, 2004
2:08 PM CST
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alta, IA
0.88″ hail
Apr 18, 2004
7:36 PM CST
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 SW Alta, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 20, 2003
6:03 PM CST
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alta, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 11, 2001
8:09 PM CST
Hail report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alta, IA
Showing 15 of 18
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near Alta, IA

15 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
60 mph
Apr 18, 2025
6:08 AM UTC
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Via personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SSE Alta, IA
UNK mph
May 21, 2024
7:27 PM UTC
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree limbs downed. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 N Alta, IA
UNK mph
May 21, 2024
7:26 PM UTC
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Downed power lines. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 N Alta, IA
UNK mph
Dec 15, 2021
11:01 PM UTC
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: NUMEROUS TREES AND BRANCHES DOWN. REPORT RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 SW Alta, IA
70 mph
Aug 8, 2010
7:20 PM CST-6
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including numerous large branches blown down. The winds also bent a flag pole.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.53 E Hanover, IA
60 mph
Jun 26, 2008
5:15 AM CST-6
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including two 40 to 50 foot tall trees blown down, and another large limb blown down onto a garage, causing minor damage to the garage.
NWS Wind Report Location: .86 SE Hanover, IA
60 mph
Sep 30, 2007
5:25 PM CST-6
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: N Alta, IA
60 mph
Aug 20, 2007
8:55 AM CST-6
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including up to 3 inch diameter branches blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SW Alta, IA
70 mph
Sep 15, 2004
4:50 AM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage at a cemetery, and moved a 20 inch tombstone 36 feet.
NWS Wind Report Location: Alta, IA
60 mph
Jul 31, 2004
10:49 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including 2 to 3 inch diameter branches blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SW Alta, IA
60 mph
Jul 3, 2003
11:20 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including at least one tree blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: Alta, IA
66 mph
Jun 13, 2001
9:30 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including numerous trees blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: Alta, IA
66 mph
Jun 13, 2000
3:08 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, specifically in the towns of Alta, Rembrandt, Sioux Rapids, and Marathon. The winds also heavily damaged a hog barn just east of Sioux Rapids.
NWS Wind Report Location: Alta, IA
60 mph
Jul 24, 1986
7:42 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK mph
Aug 16, 1973
4:15 PM CST
Wind report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 15 of 15
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near Alta, IA

5 reports
UNK category
May 13, 2023
6:21 PM UTC
Tornado report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: VIDEO OF VERY BRIEF TOUCHDOWN IN AN OPEN FIELD.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 7 S Alta, IA
EF1 category
Oct 4, 2013
7:33 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado destroyed a garage and damaged several other buildings and farm equipment on a farm, and damaged trees and power lines. The tornado also damaged a metal building system. The tornado also severely damaged the roof and air conditioning units at a school near Alta, and destroyed bleachers at the school.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .8 ENE Hanover, IA
EF0 category
Apr 9, 2011
8:50 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A brief tornado, one of two close together, caused no reported damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.89 WSW Alta, IA
EF0 category
Apr 9, 2011
8:50 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A brief tornado, one of two close together, caused no reported damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.9 SW Alta, IA
F1 category
Jun 16, 1990
8:25 PM CST
Tornado report for Alta, IA
Buena Vista County · 6,186 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 5 of 5
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in and near Alta, IA on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Alta

51002 41
Alta, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Alta, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population2,344
Households793
Housing units881
Income
Median household income$66,118
$100k+ households39.5%
$150k+ households11.2%
Housing stock
Single-family detached696
Attached single-family6
Small multifamily55
Large multifamily52
Mobile homes72
Housing mix
Single-family share79%
Attached-home share0.7%
Multifamily share12.2%
Mobile-home share8.2%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied634
Renter-occupied159
Vacant units88
Home value & age
Median home value$125,800
Owner homes $300k+7.3%
Owner homes $500k+3.9%
Owner homes $750k+2.1%
Median year built1962
Older-home share72.0%
Vehicle context
Households with cars784
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Alta have on record?

Our records show 18 hail, 15 wind, and 5 tornado reports in and near Alta, IA, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on April 23, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Alta?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Alta, IA is 1.75″. It was reported near Aurelia, IA on July 3, 2023.

A storm report showed up near my home in Alta — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves Alta and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in Alta — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a Alta address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in Alta — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific Alta address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Alta — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events across Alta, IA, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Alta, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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