Hail history for Buffalo County, NE

Buffalo County has 385 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 268 of them 1″ or larger and 35 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 6.0″ (grapefruit) on June 12, 1990.

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 385 since 1956

1″ or larger 268 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 35 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 6.0″ grapefruit · June 12, 1990

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 Buffalo County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 385 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 1, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 6, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 7, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 7, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 22, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Most hail was nickel to golf ball size, with a few up to the size of tennis balls.

June 7, 2022 · 4.0″ (softball)

There were several reports of hail ranging from 2-4 inch diameter in and near Ravenna. Widespread home siding and window damage was reported. Vehicles sustained damage, including shattered windows and windshields of the town's fire trucks.

June 12, 2002 · 5.0″ (grapefruit)

All injuries were minor

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	5	30	14	52	91	128	63

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 Buffalo County

Has it ever hailed in Buffalo County?

Yes — 385 hail events have been recorded for Buffalo County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 268 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Buffalo County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Buffalo County, NE is May 18, 2025, 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 Buffalo County?

6.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 12, 1990. 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 Nebraska hail history

All 93 Nebraska 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.