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

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

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Lester, IA from July 23, 1975 through September 8, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 55401 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
15
Wind Reports
9
Tornado Reports
1
Max Hail Size
2.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Lester, IA · 1975–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 8, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Lester, IA

15 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.25″ hail
May 17, 2026
10:14 PM UTC
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Social media report with picture and coin for size comparison. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NE Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Aug 29, 2021
12:53 AM UTC
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 27, 2019
1:23 PM UTC
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: RECEIVED REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA... QUARTER SIZED HAIL FELL FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 WSW Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Sep 22, 2010
3:13 PM CST-6
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.47 SSE Loster, IA
1.75″ hail
Apr 24, 2010
5:20 PM CST-6
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.38 N Loster, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 24, 2010
5:10 PM CST-6
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Loster, IA
0.88″ hail
Apr 24, 2010
5:02 PM CST-6
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Loster, IA
0.88″ hail
Jun 20, 2006
2:16 AM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 20, 2006
2:12 AM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SW Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Sep 8, 2005
4:10 AM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 S Lester, IA
0.75″ hail
May 24, 2005
5:10 PM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 N Lester, IA
1.75″ hail
Aug 16, 2002
2:19 PM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Large hail damaged vehicles. The amount of damage was not known.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
1.75″ hail
Apr 19, 2000
4:20 AM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
1.00″ hail
Aug 24, 1998
8:32 AM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
2.75″ hail
Jun 27, 1998
3:15 PM CST
Hail report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lester, IA
Showing 15 of 15
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 Lester, IA

9 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
50 mph
Sep 8, 2026
5:14 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station reported a 50 mph wind gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 Ne Lester, IA
64 mph
Jul 26, 2026
2:08 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 Ne Lester, IA
62 mph
Jul 26, 2026
2:05 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 E Lester, IA
72 mph
Jul 29, 2025
2:34 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 S Lester, IA
62 mph
Jul 28, 2025
5:34 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A Personal Weather Station near Rock Rapids recorded a 62 mph wind gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 E Lester, IA
UNK mph
Aug 29, 2021
1:12 AM UTC
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: REPORT FROM MPING: 3-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; POWER POLES BROKEN.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NNW Lester, IA
70 mph
Apr 16, 2002
6:30 PM CST
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds blew down a 30 foot by 60 foot cattle shed and two evergreen trees.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 W Lester, IA
60 mph
Aug 24, 1998
8:32 AM CST
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Lester, IA
UNK mph
Jul 23, 1975
4:30 PM CST
Wind report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 9 of 9
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 Lester, IA

1 reports
F1 category
Apr 21, 1985
6:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Lester, IA
Lyon County · 4,356 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 1 of 1
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 Lester, IA on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Lester

51242 5
Lester, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
51241 52
Larchwood, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
51246 92
Rock Rapids, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Lester, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population308
Households104
Housing units125
Income
Median household income$91,875
$100k+ households58.7%
$150k+ households29.8%
Housing stock
Single-family detached115
Attached single-family0
Small multifamily0
Large multifamily10
Mobile homes0
Housing mix
Single-family share92%
Attached-home share--
Multifamily share8%
Mobile-home share--
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied101
Renter-occupied3
Vacant units21
Home value & age
Median home value$185,200
Owner homes $300k+34.7%
Owner homes $500k+3.0%
Owner homes $750k+1.0%
Median year built1975
Older-home share61.6%
Vehicle context
Households with cars104
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 Lester have on record?

Our records show 15 hail, 9 wind, and 1 tornado reports in and near Lester, IA, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on September 8, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Lester?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Lester, IA is 2.75″. It was reported near Lester, IA on June 27, 1998.

A storm report showed up near my home in Lester — 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 Lester and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in Lester — 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 Lester address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in Lester — 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 Lester address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Lester — 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 Lester, IA, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Lester, 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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