Hail history for Brown County, NE

Brown County has 284 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 199 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.0″ (grapefruit) on July 30, 1976.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 284 since 1966

1″ or larger 199 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 5.0″ grapefruit · July 30, 1976

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 Brown County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 284 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 17, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 19, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 19, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 30, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 16, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

August 17, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball sized hail reported in Ainsworth.

June 1, 2018 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Report received via social media.

August 11, 2008 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Golf ball to baseball size hail occurred near Enders Lake. The large hail severely damaged vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	15	11	48	114	67	27

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 Brown County

Has it ever hailed in Brown County?

Yes — 284 hail events have been recorded for Brown County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1966, including 199 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Brown County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Brown County, NE is August 17, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf 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 Brown County?

5.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 30, 1976. 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 Nebraska hail history

All 93 Nebraska 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.