Hail history for Hitchcock County, NE

Hitchcock County has 356 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 250 of them 1″ or larger and 41 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 1, 1990.

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 356 since 1957

1″ or larger 250 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 41 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 1, 1990

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 Hitchcock County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 356 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
September 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 16, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
September 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 2, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 29, 2025	0.75″	Penny
July 21, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 19, 2025	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

September 16, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Report sent in via mPING.

July 22, 2023 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Initial size estimate of 2 inches seems underestimated based on submitted photo. 4.25 inches will be the official measurement.

August 26, 2002 · 4.0″ (softball)

Numerous house windows lost due to 4-inch hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	6	5	4	42	108	86	104

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 Hitchcock County

Has it ever hailed in Hitchcock County?

Yes — 356 hail events have been recorded for Hitchcock County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 250 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hitchcock County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hitchcock County, NE is September 16, 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 Hitchcock County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 1, 1990. 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.