Hail history for Thurston County, NE

Thurston County has 111 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 56 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on June 27, 2005.

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 111 since 1956

1″ or larger 56 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · June 27, 2005

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 Thurston County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 111 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 30, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 4, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 14, 2020	1.75″	Golf ball
August 14, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
June 29, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2017	0.88″	Nickel
June 13, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
May 17, 2017	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

July 30, 2023 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Trained spotter reported 1.25-inch hail.

July 4, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported 1 to 1.75 inch hail south of Emerson via socia media. Hail lasted 1 to 2 minutes and caused some damage to vehicles, crops, and gardens.

June 27, 2005 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Hail over 4 inches in diameter was reported in town.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	4	5	9	58	30	4

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 Thurston County

Has it ever hailed in Thurston County?

Yes — 111 hail events have been recorded for Thurston County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 56 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Thurston County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Thurston County, NE is July 30, 2023, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Thurston County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 27, 2005. 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.