Hail history for Butler County, NE

Butler County has 179 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 130 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 1, 2018.

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 179 since 1959

1″ or larger 130 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 1, 2018

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 Butler County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 179 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 15, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 15, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 15, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 15, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 15, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 15, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
May 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 17, 2025	2.5″	Tennis ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 15, 2026 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Emergency management report of hail estimated at 1.75 inches in diameter with lots of quarter sized hail mixed in. Hail caused damage to vinyl siding.

June 25, 2022 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Public reported 2.75 inch hail via social media.

May 1, 2018 · 4.0″ (softball)

Grapefruit size hail was reported 1 mile west of Octavia.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	6	9	14	17	48	54	30

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 Butler County

Has it ever hailed in Butler County?

Yes — 179 hail events have been recorded for Butler County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 130 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Butler County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Butler County, NE is April 15, 2026, with 2.0″ (hen egg) 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 Butler County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 1, 2018. 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.