Hail history for Ottawa County, KS

Ottawa County has 376 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 251 of them 1″ or larger and 29 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 1, 2018.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 376 since 1956

1″ or larger 251 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 29 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 1, 2018

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Ottawa County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Ottawa County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 376 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 22, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Ottawa County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

March 27, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Ping pong ball size hail.

May 1, 2018 · 4.0″ (softball)

Wind driven softball size hail with extensive damage to siding and windows in several homes in Ada.

May 9, 2016 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail decreased to dollar coin size by 533 PM.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	12	12	19	64	116	115	35

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Ottawa County

Has it ever hailed in Ottawa County?

Yes — 376 hail events have been recorded for Ottawa County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 251 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ottawa County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ottawa County, KS is April 22, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong ball) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Ottawa County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 1, 2018. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Kansas hail history

All 105 Kansas counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.