Hail history for Howard County, NE

Howard County has 234 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 156 of them 1″ or larger and 17 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on June 9, 2003.

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 234 since 1956

1″ or larger 156 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 17 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · June 9, 2003

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 Howard County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 234 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
August 29, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 23, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
July 23, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
July 16, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
July 16, 2022	2.75″	Baseball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 23, 2022 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail up to the size of quarters was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH. This wind resulted in tree damage in Elba, including tree limbs near one foot in diameter downed and whole trees blown over.

July 16, 2022 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to the size of baseballs was reported. A CoCoRaHS observer noted in comments that crops and trees were damaged and did not look good.

May 4, 2012 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail ranging from the size of quarters to at least the size of baseballs was reported in and around St. Paul. There were numerous reports of vehicle damage, along with window, siding, and gutter damage to homes. A local greenhouse had 21 roof panels destroyed.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	10	24	47	76	58	16

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 Howard County

Has it ever hailed in Howard County?

Yes — 234 hail events have been recorded for Howard County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 156 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Howard County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Howard County, NE is April 1, 2025, 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 Howard County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 9, 2003. 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.