Hail history for Bates County, MO

Bates County has 188 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 121 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on May 27, 2017.

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 188 since 1963

1″ or larger 121 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · May 27, 2017

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 Bates County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 188 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 3, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 3, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 26, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 3, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail and tree and vehicle damage from strong winds on 7th Street.

February 28, 2007 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Several residences and vehicles received damage from the large hail.

May 8, 2003 · 4.0″ (softball)

Large hail damaged 1,100 homes and 750 cars.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	7	5	22	84	46	22

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 Bates County

Has it ever hailed in Bates County?

Yes — 188 hail events have been recorded for Bates County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 121 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Bates County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Bates County, MO is September 3, 2025, 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 Bates County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 27, 2017. 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 Missouri hail history

All 115 Missouri 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.