Hail history for Lafayette County, MO

Lafayette County has 157 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 95 of them 1″ or larger and 14 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on June 30, 2023.

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 157 since 1958

1″ or larger 95 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 14 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · June 30, 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 Lafayette County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 157 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 12, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
March 12, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
March 12, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
March 12, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 12, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
March 12, 2024	2.0″	Hen egg
March 12, 2024	2.0″	Hen egg
September 23, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 12, 2024 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Two inch hail was reported just south of US Highway 24 about 2 miles SSW of Napoleon.

June 30, 2023 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Social media photo of a hail stone larger than 4 inches in diameter on the southeast side of Lexington.

March 12, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail damaged many automobiles and homes.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	3	2	11	21	59	45	13

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 Lafayette County

Has it ever hailed in Lafayette County?

Yes — 157 hail events have been recorded for Lafayette County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 95 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lafayette County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lafayette County, MO is March 12, 2024, 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 Lafayette County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 30, 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.