Hail history for Rice County, KS

Rice County has 321 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 221 of them 1″ or larger and 27 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 13, 2000.

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 321 since 1959

1″ or larger 221 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 27 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 13, 2000

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 Rice County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 321 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
June 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 18, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 18, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Rice 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) relayed picture from the public of ping-pong ball sized hail.

July 23, 2013 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The baseball-sized hail damaged trees and cracked windshields.

May 21, 2005 · 2.75″ (baseball)

A 2nd dealership sustained damage to only 3 vehicles. As was the case 1 mile southeast of Lyons, damage was limited due to the sparse number of hailstones achieving the 2.75 inch diameter. (Narrative courtesy of Lyons Daily News.)

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	3	11	9	43	135	80	39

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 Rice County

Has it ever hailed in Rice County?

Yes — 321 hail events have been recorded for Rice County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 221 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rice County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rice 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 Rice County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 13, 2000. 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.