Hail history for Franklin County, NE

Franklin County has 186 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 134 of them 1″ or larger and 20 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 26, 2002.

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 186 since 1956

1″ or larger 134 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 20 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 26, 2002

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 Franklin County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 186 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 6, 2024	0.75″	Penny
June 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 3, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
May 3, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 29, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A weakening cluster of thunderstorms sliding east just north of the Nebraska-Kansas state line produced severe weather across southwestern portions of Franklin County. The NWS Cooperative Observer in Naponee reported hail around golf ball size and wind gusts exceeding 60 MPH.

May 5, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail up to the size of tennis balls was reported across Franklin. There were numerous reports of shredded trees, broken siding and windows and damage to vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
6	2	6	4	31	48	66	23

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 Franklin County

Has it ever hailed in Franklin County?

Yes — 186 hail events have been recorded for Franklin County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 134 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Franklin County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Franklin County, NE is July 6, 2024, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Franklin County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 26, 2002. 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.