Hail history for Webster County, NE

Webster County has 175 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 119 of them 1″ or larger and 16 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 13, 1998.

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 175 since 1959

1″ or larger 119 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 16 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 13, 1998

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 Webster County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 175 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 6, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 7, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
September 21, 2023	2.75″	Baseball
September 21, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
September 21, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
September 21, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg

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

From the storm reports

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

September 21, 2023 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to the size of baseballs fell across Red Cloud for approximately 25 minutes. There were numerous reports of car damage, and there was likely roof and siding damage as well. Trees in the area also suffered damage from the hail.

September 21, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail up to two inches in diameter was reported in Cowles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	10	6	12	48	77	17

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 Webster County

Has it ever hailed in Webster County?

Yes — 175 hail events have been recorded for Webster County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 119 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Webster County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Webster County, NE is July 6, 2024, 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 Webster County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 13, 1998. 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.