Hail history for Harlan County, NE

Harlan County has 191 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 136 of them 1″ or larger and 25 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on May 31, 1980.

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 191 since 1955

1″ or larger 136 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 25 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · May 31, 1980

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 Harlan County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 191 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
October 3, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
June 29, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
May 28, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 28, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 9, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
May 5, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
May 5, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Harlan 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 cluster of thunderstorms sliding east just north of the Nebraska-Kansas state line produced widespread severe weather across central and southern portions of Harlan County. Hail generally up to the size of golf balls was reported across this area, though isolated larger hail also likely fell.

May 17, 2022 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail ranging anywhere in size from ping pong balls up to three inches in diameter was reported in this area.

June 19, 2018 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Tennis ball to baseball size hail was reported.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	12	9	24	56	65	22

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 Harlan County

Has it ever hailed in Harlan County?

Yes — 191 hail events have been recorded for Harlan County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 136 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Harlan County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Harlan County, NE is June 18, 2024, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Harlan County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 31, 1980. 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.