Hail history for Ellis County, KS

Ellis County has 539 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 346 of them 1″ or larger and 44 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 26, 2021.

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 539 since 1955

1″ or larger 346 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 44 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 26, 2021

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 Ellis County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 539 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 18, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 18, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 18, 2024	2.0″	Hen egg
June 18, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 4, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 1, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

May 18, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public report of 1.75 inch hail.

May 8, 2016 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

There was considerable damage to trees, vehicles and roofs.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
6	5	15	24	106	150	149	84

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 Ellis County

Has it ever hailed in Ellis County?

Yes — 539 hail events have been recorded for Ellis County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 346 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ellis County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ellis County, KS is May 18, 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 Ellis County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 26, 2021. 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 Kansas hail history

All 105 Kansas 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.