Hail history for Hickory County, MO

Hickory County has 132 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 80 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on July 17, 2023.

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 132 since 1959

1″ or larger 80 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · July 17, 2023

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 Hickory County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 132 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 26, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
September 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 8, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 8, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 26, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 21, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 26, 2026 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail up to half dollars in size were reported.

July 17, 2023 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail up to 3 inches in size was reported. Significant damage to multiple vehicles and roofs occurred across the town of Preston. Hail damaged trees and other outbuildings.

July 17, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail up to tennis balls in size was reported in a mostly rural location. However, roof damage to at least 7 homes and outbuildings or barns occurred along with a few damaged vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	3	10	18	44	36	20

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 Hickory County

Has it ever hailed in Hickory County?

Yes — 132 hail events have been recorded for Hickory County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 80 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hickory County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hickory County, MO is April 26, 2026, 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 Hickory County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on July 17, 2023. 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.