Hail history for Washington County, KS

Washington County has 393 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 248 of them 1″ or larger and 32 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 8, 2003.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 393 since 1956

1″ or larger 248 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 32 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 8, 2003

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 Washington County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 393 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 9, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 9, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 9, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 9, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 9, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 9, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 9, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 24, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 25, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Half dollar size hail, also estimating 50 mph winds.

April 26, 2016 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Report from photo on social media.

August 19, 2009 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

The broadcast media reported 3 to 3.5 inch hail near Haddam. Baseball to grapefruit sized hail was common throughout the event.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	11	8	40	77	116	100	38

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 Washington County

Has it ever hailed in Washington County?

Yes — 393 hail events have been recorded for Washington County, KS in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 248 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Washington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Washington County, KS is April 9, 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 Washington County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 8, 2003. 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.