HailHistory › Hail by county › Nebraska › Dawson County
Nebraska · county FIPS 31047
Hail history for Dawson County, NE
Dawson County has 367 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 257 of them 1″ or larger and 30 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on August 10, 1996.
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.
When it hails in Dawson County
Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Dawson County's peak: May.
Most recent recorded events
| Date | Size | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 1.75″ | Golf ball | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 0.88″ | Nickel | |
| 1.75″ | Golf ball | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 2.0″ | Hen egg |
Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Dawson County.
From the storm reports
Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).
· 2.5″ (tennis ball)
Hail ranging in size from quarters to tennis balls was reported along this path.
· 4.0″ (softball)
Emergency management reported widespread significant damage across Cozad from large hail up to four inches in diameter. The local hospital was damaged enough from broken windows, roof damage, and leaking water that patients had to be transferred to nearby hospitals for a period of time. One injury was reported, a person was caught outside in the storm, suffering cuts and bruises and losing consciousness.
· 4.0″ (softball)
Storm chaser reported large hail, with isolated stones up to the size of softballs, south of the Darr exit of Interstate 80. Hail caused damage to their vehicle.
Events by decade
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 120 | 140 | 42 |
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 Dawson County
Has it ever hailed in Dawson County?
Yes — 367 hail events have been recorded for Dawson County, NE in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 257 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.
When did it last hail in Dawson County?
The most recent recorded hail event for Dawson 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 Dawson County?
4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on August 10, 1996. 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
- Lincoln County 1,102
- Cherry County 940
- Custer County 832
- Holt County 560
- Sheridan County 546
- Scotts Bluff County 510
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.