Hail history for Cole County, MO

Cole County has 147 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 100 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on March 27, 2020.

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 147 since 1958

1″ or larger 100 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · March 27, 2020

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 Cole County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 147 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 16, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 16, 2026	2.5″	Tennis ball
May 8, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
March 13, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
August 2, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball
July 17, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 5, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 16, 2026 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

An emergency manager estimated hail size between golf balls and tennis balls. Photo provided was representative of tennis ball sized hail.

March 27, 2020 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

A wide swath of large hail fell between St. Martins and Jefferson City. The largest hail stones were 3 inches in diameter. There were numerous reports of dents on vehicles and car windows broken out. At least 800 hundred cars sustained damage at car dealerships in the Jefferson City area. The largest hail stones were reported in St. Martins, Elston, and Jefferson City.

March 2, 2012 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Several cars sustained broken windows due to the large hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	5	6	16	15	42	51	10

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 Cole County

Has it ever hailed in Cole County?

Yes — 147 hail events have been recorded for Cole County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 100 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Cole County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Cole County, MO is April 16, 2026, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Cole County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on March 27, 2020. 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.