Hail history for Benton County, MO

Benton County has 181 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 111 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on May 26, 2024.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 181 since 1956

1″ or larger 111 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · May 26, 2024

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 Benton County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 181 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
November 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 3, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 11, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2024	2.5″	Tennis ball
May 8, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

November 17, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Report of quarter size hail.

May 26, 2024 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Report of tennis ball size hail northwest of Warsaw.

April 10, 2016 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

There were multiple reports of large hail up to 2 inch in diameter. Numerous cars were damaged with dents and broken car windows in the area. There were reports of siding damage to a church and some homes due to the hail. There were multiple pictures of the large hail on social media. This storm report will include the total estimated damage cost for the entire county with this event.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	3	20	29	64	45	17

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 Benton County

Has it ever hailed in Benton County?

Yes — 181 hail events have been recorded for Benton County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 111 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Benton County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Benton County, MO is November 17, 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 Benton County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on May 26, 2024. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.