Hail history for Clay County, MO

Clay County has 463 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 314 of them 1″ or larger and 52 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on September 13, 1965.

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 463 since 1955

1″ or larger 314 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 52 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · September 13, 1965

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 Clay County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 463 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 15, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 19, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 19, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 19, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 15, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail reported in Kearney.

May 19, 2025 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball sized hail near Kearney.

April 16, 1995 · 3.25″ (tea cup)

Severe thunderstorms dumped hail from golf ball- to softball-size on parts of northern Kansas City and Gladstone. The storms then moved northeast to Kearney and Holt. Many homes received roof damage and at least four car dealerships received major damage to inventory. Baseball-size hail at the Metro North Mall smashed car windshields and broke windows.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
5	32	20	31	47	121	166	41

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 Clay County

Has it ever hailed in Clay County?

Yes — 463 hail events have been recorded for Clay County, MO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 314 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Clay County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Clay County, MO is April 15, 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 Clay County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on September 13, 1965. 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 Missouri hail history

All 115 Missouri 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.