Liberal hail storm history
Seward County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Liberal, located in Seward County on Kansas's western High Plains, has experienced 6 hailstorms producing hail 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years. The largest recorded hailstone in the area measured 2 inches in diameter during a storm on August 4, 2025. At an average frequency of 0.6 events per year, Liberal's hail risk is lower than eastern Kansas but capable of producing severe damage when storms do occur.
Hail in Liberal peaks during May and June, when elevated terrain and strong atmospheric wind shear combine to produce isolated supercells capable of large hail. Secondary activity occurs in April and August. The western High Plains location produces fewer total events than central Kansas, but the strong updrafts associated with these supercells often generate larger stones than more frequent eastern Kansas storms.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 123 recorded events, 54 (44%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
A public report of 1.75 inch hail.
A video was sent in through social media.
Report was from KAKE storm chaser.
An emergency manager reported 2 inch hail. A storm chaser sent pictures of measured 2 inch hail 5 mi…
Social media report had a picture showing quarter size hail.
Report received from social media. pictures were included.
A windshield was broken by the large hail.
Winds were at least 60 MPH along with the hail.
Ping pong ball to nearly golf ball sized hail.
Winds were estimated to be between 60 and 70 MPH.
NOAA's Storm Events Database records 9 documented hail events of 1 inch or larger in Seward County, including 4 significant events of 1.5 inches or larger. Liberal's smaller population and rural character mean hail reports depend partly on trained spotters and emergency manager observations rather than dense residential reporting networks. Current-year data is excluded from the annual frequency table until October, when NOAA's Storm Events Database has processed the full hail season accounting for the standard 75-day reporting lag.
NOAA Storm Events Database source