Hail history for Sumner County, KS

Sumner County has 553 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 382 of them 1″ or larger and 39 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on May 5, 1986.

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 553 since 1956

1″ or larger 382 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 39 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · May 5, 1986

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 Sumner County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 553 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 23, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2026	2.5″	Tennis ball
April 23, 2026	3.5″	Softball
April 23, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 17, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 17, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 17, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
March 10, 2026	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

April 23, 2026 · 3.5″ (softball)

The report was received via image on social media.

April 23, 2026 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Quarter to two inch sized hail reported.

May 31, 2022 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A picture was sent via Facebook of the tennis ball sized hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	16	20	25	102	262	92	34

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 Sumner County

Has it ever hailed in Sumner County?

Yes — 553 hail events have been recorded for Sumner County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 382 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Sumner County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Sumner County, KS is April 23, 2026, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Sumner County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 5, 1986. 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.