Hail history for Russell County, KS

Russell County has 485 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 342 of them 1″ or larger and 33 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 22, 1995.

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 485 since 1956

1″ or larger 342 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 33 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 22, 1995

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 Russell County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 485 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 27, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 27, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2024	2.0″	Hen egg
June 4, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 4, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
May 19, 2024	2.5″	Tennis ball
May 19, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

June 4, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Quarter to half dollar sized hail was reported with the time estimated from radar.

June 1, 2011 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Several home roofs and vehicles were damaged countywide by golfball to baseball size hail. The exact number of roofs and vehicles damaged in unknown, so property damage amounts are rough estimates.

June 1, 2011 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Many campers and car wind shields were damaged.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
6	8	8	27	102	177	119	38

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 Russell County

Has it ever hailed in Russell County?

Yes — 485 hail events have been recorded for Russell County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 342 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Russell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Russell County, KS is April 27, 2026, 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 Russell County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 22, 1995. 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.