Hail history for Ellsworth County, KS

Ellsworth County has 380 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 272 of them 1″ or larger and 26 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on June 11, 2008.

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 380 since 1956

1″ or larger 272 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 26 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · June 11, 2008

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 Ellsworth County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 380 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 9, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 9, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
September 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 4, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Broadcast media (KWCH TV) reported ping-pong ball sized hail. An image was sent via social media.

June 21, 2020 · 3.25″ (tea cup)

Estimated 3.25 inch hail between Holyrood and Lorraine.

June 11, 2008 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

A homestead suffered severe damage from baseball to softball sized hail. The hail damaged 22 windowpanes and also killed 10 calves and chickens. Numerous farm fields were also flattened by the hail, destroying almost mature wheat.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
5	6	19	26	69	135	74	46

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 Ellsworth County

Has it ever hailed in Ellsworth County?

Yes — 380 hail events have been recorded for Ellsworth County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 272 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ellsworth County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ellsworth County, KS is April 26, 2026, 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 Ellsworth County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 11, 2008. 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.