Hail history for Merrick County, NE

Merrick County has 194 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 135 of them 1″ or larger and 19 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 18, 1961.

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 194 since 1955

1″ or larger 135 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 19 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 18, 1961

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 Merrick County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 194 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 1, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 4, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
June 4, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
June 4, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2022	0.75″	Penny
June 4, 2022	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

June 21, 2020 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Observer reported mainly pea to nickel size hail, with occasional larger stones. Size of largest hail is unknown.

May 25, 2012 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail reported on Arthur Road 2 miles west of Palmer.

August 20, 2007 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail ranged in size from 1.75 to 2.75 inches in diameter.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
10	9	15	14	22	65	46	13

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 Merrick County

Has it ever hailed in Merrick County?

Yes — 194 hail events have been recorded for Merrick County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 135 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Merrick County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Merrick County, NE is May 19, 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 Merrick County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 18, 1961. 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.