Hail history for Lyon County, KS

Lyon County has 378 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 270 of them 1″ or larger and 32 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on December 15, 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 378 since 1955

1″ or larger 270 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 32 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · December 15, 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 Lyon County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 378 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 13, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 13, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 13, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 13, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 27, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
March 27, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 13, 2026 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Emporia city manager reported quarter to half dollar size hail.

December 15, 2021 · 4.0″ (softball)

Softball sized hail reported at mile marker 137 on I-35.

June 2, 2008 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Law enforcement officials and public reports of one and three quarter to three inch diameter hail were recieved at the NWS-Topeka. It was noted that some of the large stones were donut shaped. Vehicles left outside received extensive damage. Windshields were shattered along the path of this cell, and extensive vehical body damage was noted. Shingle damage was also noted at numerous homes and barns.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
9	6	8	17	47	125	111	55

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 Lyon County

Has it ever hailed in Lyon County?

Yes — 378 hail events have been recorded for Lyon County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 270 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lyon County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lyon County, KS is April 13, 2026, with 2.0″ (hen egg) 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 Lyon County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on December 15, 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.