Hail history for Buchanan County, MO

Buchanan County has 178 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 110 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on June 21, 2015.

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 178 since 1955

1″ or larger 110 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · June 21, 2015

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 Buchanan County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 178 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
October 24, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 4, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
April 4, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
April 4, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 29, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 14, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar
May 14, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball
May 14, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

October 24, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Delayed report. Social media report and photos of hail up to ping pong ball sized northwest of Gower. Time and location estimated from radar.

September 11, 2000 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The Highway Patrol reported golfball to baseball size hail on the north side of St Joseph. Several windshields were broken by the large hailstones.

June 28, 1998 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golfball-size hail was reported during a severe thunderstorm 4 miles north of Agency.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
4	8	10	9	27	60	55	5

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 Buchanan County

Has it ever hailed in Buchanan County?

Yes — 178 hail events have been recorded for Buchanan County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 110 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Buchanan County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Buchanan County, MO is October 24, 2024, 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 Buchanan County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on June 21, 2015. 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.