Hail history for Smith County, KS

Smith County has 271 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 174 of them 1″ or larger and 21 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 29, 1991.

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 271 since 1955

1″ or larger 174 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 21 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 29, 1991

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 Smith County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 271 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 7, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 4, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
May 6, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 6, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 6, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
July 16, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 16, 2023	0.75″	Penny
July 16, 2023	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

July 16, 2023 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Nickel size hail was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 55 MPH.

May 8, 2021 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail ranging anywhere from pea size to 2 inches in diameter was reported in Smith Center from a number of sources.

October 1, 2017 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail ranging in size from golf balls to hen eggs was reported in and near Kensington.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	10	34	71	72	62	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 Smith County

Has it ever hailed in Smith County?

Yes — 271 hail events have been recorded for Smith County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 174 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Smith County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Smith County, KS is June 7, 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 Smith County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 29, 1991. 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.