RoofTake

Historical hail archive: January 2016–December 2025. NOAA radar estimates within 25 miles of each city centre. ZIP matches use the first three digits; this is not a property-level report or a live alert service. Coverage and source.

Linn County · Iowa · NOAA radar record 2016–2025

Hail damage in Cedar Rapids, IA

Radar has detected hail over Cedar Rapids on 207 separate days since 2016. On 58 of them the largest stone was estimated at golf-ball size or bigger. The biggest was 10.2 cm on July 11, 2020.

66/100 RoofTake Score — High hail exposure · ranked 45 of 50 metros we cover

A high value in this historical exposure model. Radar estimates do not establish what reached a property or whether it was damaged.

How we got to that number
ComponentValueWeightContribution
Frequency
Hail days per year at 1.00 in (2.5 cm) or larger		38 / 100× 0.3513.4
Severity
Largest stone radar estimated in the whole window		100 / 100× 0.3030.0
Recency
How long since the last 2 in (5 cm) day		92 / 100× 0.2018.3
Concentration
Hail days per year reaching golf-ball size		29 / 100× 0.154.3
RoofTake Score66

The score describes an area, not a house. Two roofs on the same street of different ages face very different risk from the identical storm. The whole formula and its weights are on the methodology page, and you can recompute it yourself from our public data.

207hail days on radar since 2016
58at golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger
10.2 cmlargest stone estimated, July 11, 2020
20.7hail days per year, average

Linn County roofs took a generational hit from the August 2020 derecho.

Check your own ZIP code Is your roof damaged?

Data last refreshed: · source: NOAA NCEI Severe Weather Data Inventory, dataset nx3hail

The ten biggest hail days in Cedar Rapids since 2016

DateRadar max sizeMetric ComparisonSignatures
July 11, 20204.00 in10.2 cmGrapefruit144
July 11, 20253.50 in8.9 cmTeacup58
July 21, 20173.25 in8.3 cmTeacup124
August 15, 20253.00 in7.6 cmTeacup33
April 10, 20172.75 in7.0 cmBaseball29
June 16, 20172.75 in7.0 cmBaseball152
June 29, 20172.75 in7.0 cmBaseball60
August 28, 20182.75 in7.0 cmBaseball12
September 3, 20182.75 in7.0 cmBaseball36
April 7, 20202.75 in7.0 cmBaseball54

"Signatures" is the number of separate radar volume scans that detected hail in a storm cell within 25 miles that day. More signatures means a longer-lived or larger storm, not necessarily bigger stones.

Hail days by year

201617
201731
201820
201927
202016
202113
202221
202315
202427
202520

Busiest year in the record: 2017 with 31 hail days.

Hail days by month

Feb3
Mar11
Apr13
May26
Jun38
Jul46
Aug37
Sep22
Oct8
Nov2
Dec1

Peak month: July. Hail season in Iowa is short and it is not distributed evenly — most of the annual risk arrives in a few weeks.

What to do with this if you own a roof in Cedar Rapids

  1. Find your dates. Look up your ZIP for the record nearest you, and note every day at 1.00 in or above since you bought the house.
  2. Work out whether your roof could have survived them. A twelve-year-old asphalt roof and a two-year-old one respond very differently to the same stone — the age calculator explains why.
  3. Look, before you file. Nine photographs, none of them requiring you to get on the roof.
  4. Check the arithmetic. If the actual cash value of the damage is under your deductible, filing pays nothing — work it out first.
  5. Then write. The letter generator puts the Cedar Rapids radar record and the NOAA citation into your notice of claim.

Every hail day radar recorded near Cedar Rapids

207 days, most recent first. Sizes are radar estimates of the largest stone aloft in the cell, not measurements at any address.

  1. September 23, 2025
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    48 radar signatures · closest signature 6.87 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  2. September 16, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    13 radar signatures · closest signature 3.15 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  3. August 18, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    52 radar signatures · closest signature 11.14 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  4. August 17, 2025
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    35 radar signatures · closest signature 19.01 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  5. August 16, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 12.83 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  6. August 15, 2025
    3.00 in (7.6 cm) — Teacup size, radar-estimated
    33 radar signatures · closest signature 1.64 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  7. August 10, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    18 radar signatures · closest signature 3.74 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  8. July 30, 2025
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    42 radar signatures · closest signature 9.95 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  9. July 29, 2025
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 18.5 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 10%
  10. July 19, 2025
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    26 radar signatures · closest signature 10.79 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  11. July 11, 2025
    3.50 in (8.9 cm) — Teacup size, radar-estimated
    58 radar signatures · closest signature 3.03 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  12. July 10, 2025
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    26 radar signatures · closest signature 7.62 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  13. May 20, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 24.57 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  14. May 19, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    13 radar signatures · closest signature 21.09 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 20%
  15. May 8, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 18.81 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  16. May 7, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 8.57 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  17. April 17, 2025
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    7 radar signatures · closest signature 5.07 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  18. March 30, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 17.44 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  19. March 19, 2025
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    19 radar signatures · closest signature 4.84 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  20. March 15, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 24.59 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  21. October 25, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    39 radar signatures · closest signature 11.66 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  22. October 4, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 24.91 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 20%
  23. August 28, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 20.27 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 10%
  24. August 1, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    25 radar signatures · closest signature 1.86 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  25. July 31, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    33 radar signatures · closest signature 11.22 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  26. July 29, 2024
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 13.98 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 20%
  27. July 24, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 22.86 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  28. July 23, 2024
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    51 radar signatures · closest signature 1.58 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  29. July 15, 2024
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    105 radar signatures · closest signature 1.97 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  30. July 11, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 14.93 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  31. July 2, 2024
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 18.74 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 10%
  32. June 26, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    9 radar signatures · closest signature 11.44 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  33. June 25, 2024
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    119 radar signatures · closest signature 3.87 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  34. June 23, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 15.17 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  35. May 27, 2024
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    21 radar signatures · closest signature 15.82 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  36. May 26, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    52 radar signatures · closest signature 4.25 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  37. May 24, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    90 radar signatures · closest signature 7.1 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  38. May 22, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    40 radar signatures · closest signature 5.63 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  39. May 21, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    58 radar signatures · closest signature 9.24 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  40. May 20, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    42 radar signatures · closest signature 4.61 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  41. May 7, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    5 radar signatures · closest signature 15.54 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  42. April 28, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    5 radar signatures · closest signature 19.72 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  43. April 27, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    23 radar signatures · closest signature 16.01 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  44. April 16, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    10 radar signatures · closest signature 8.36 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  45. March 30, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    80 radar signatures · closest signature 1.91 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  46. March 5, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    5 radar signatures · closest signature 22.77 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  47. February 8, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 11.01 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  48. October 12, 2023
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 3.0 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  49. October 11, 2023
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    36 radar signatures · closest signature 8.26 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  50. September 22, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    7 radar signatures · closest signature 10.57 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  51. September 16, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    4 radar signatures · closest signature 15.78 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  52. September 6, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    16 radar signatures · closest signature 18.29 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  53. August 11, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    3 radar signatures · closest signature 10.73 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  54. July 29, 2023
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    52 radar signatures · closest signature 7.4 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  55. July 23, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 23.9 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  56. July 13, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    3 radar signatures · closest signature 21.93 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  57. June 25, 2023
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    62 radar signatures · closest signature 3.47 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  58. June 18, 2023
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    7 radar signatures · closest signature 12.76 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  59. June 4, 2023
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    27 radar signatures · closest signature 9.41 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  60. June 2, 2023
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 21.67 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%

Showing the 60 most recent of 207. The full record is in the JSON we publish: cedar-rapids-ia.json.

From people in Cedar Rapids

The part of this page that no dataset can produce. Everything here is read by a human before it appears.

Neighbourhood reports

No reports for Cedar Rapids yet. Be the first — it takes thirty seconds and it is the single most useful thing for the next person on this page.

No name, no email, no address. Structured fields only — why.

Claim outcomes

Nobody has shared a Cedar Rapids claim outcome yet. Approved, denied, how long it took — anonymously. This is the number the industry never publishes.

Anonymous, and we do not ask which insurer — structured outcomes only, so nobody can be defamed and nobody can be identified.

Damage photos from Cedar Rapids storms

No photos yet for Cedar Rapids. Photos of real hail damage, tied to a real date and place, are the one thing on this subject the internet is genuinely short of.

By uploading you confirm the photo is yours and you are happy for it to appear on this page. Strip the location data first if you would rather not share it — we remove it on our side too. Terms.

Hail in Cedar Rapids, IA: common questions

How often does Cedar Rapids get damaging hail?

Radar recorded 207 hail days within 25 miles of the city centre between 2016 and 2025 — an average of 20.7 a year, of which 5.8 a year were at golf-ball size or larger. Not every one of those damages roofs.

When is hail season in Cedar Rapids?

The busiest month in this record is July, and 2017 was the busiest single year with 31 hail days.

Does this mean my roof is damaged?

No. These are radar estimates of the largest stone aloft in a storm cell somewhere within 25 miles of the city centre. Whether anything landed on your street, and whether it damaged your particular roof, needs somebody to look.

How do I use this for an insurance claim?

A specific date with a public, citable source is what turns 'sometime last year' into a date of loss. Use the claim letter generator, which pulls the date and the NOAA citation in for you.

Why 25 miles?

It is wide enough to catch storms that clipped the metro and narrow enough that the number still means something for a house inside it. The same radius is used for every metro so the pages are comparable.

Get quotes from roofers who work in Cedar Rapids

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