Manhattan hail storm history
Riley County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Manhattan is located in Riley County, which has experienced 1 hail event of 1 inch or larger in the past 10 years. The city sits in the central Great Plains, where atmospheric conditions during spring and early summer create favorable environments for hail-producing thunderstorms, though significant events remain infrequent compared to other Kansas regions.
Hail in Manhattan follows a clear seasonal pattern, with May and June representing the peak months for storm activity. The dryline—the boundary between warm, moist Gulf air and drier continental air—frequently positions itself over Riley County during late afternoons, when atmospheric instability is greatest and supercell thunderstorms are most likely to develop.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 269 recorded events, 104 (39%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Estimated hail to quarter size in diameter.
Half dollar size hail south side of Chapman.
Ping pong ball size hail near Olsburg.
Quarter size hail southwest side of Junction City.
Photos shared via social media. Time estimated radar.
Also had wind gusts to 53 mph.
Quarter size hail in Wamego.
An Mping report.
Social media report.
Report of softball hail 7 miles north of Moonlight. Exact location estimated from radar.
Report of slightly larger than baseball size hail.
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls reported.
Nickel sized hail reported.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Quarter sized hail report from mping.
Ping pong ball sized hail reported.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Half dollar sized hail reported.
Report of quarter sized hail.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Half dollar sized hail reported.
Golf ball sized hail reported.
Quarter sized hail reported from mping.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Ping pong ball sized hail reported.
Report of nickel to half dollar sized hail.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Golf ball sized hail reported.
Golf ball sized hail reported.
Hen egg sized hail reported.
Nickel sized hail covering the ground.
Baseball sized hail reported.
Quarter size hail reported.
Report of golf ball size hail.
Half dollar size hail and 50-60 mph wind gust.
Nickel sized hail covering the ground about 18 miles south of Clay Center. Time estimated from radar…
Reports of several large hailstones falling, including golf ball and baseball sized hail.
Half dollar size hail reported.
Quarter size hail reported by public.
Mainly nickel sized hail with some quarters reported as well.
Observer noted quarter size hail with a few stones larger up to golf ball size.
Social media report. Size was estimated.
Lots of quarter size hail which was accumulating on the ground.
Mostly pea size hail with a few quarters.
Nickel to golf ball size hail reported.
Hail was reported near Highway 16 and Major Jenkins Road.
Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were also reported.
Report of 1-2 inch size hailstones on Highway 57 on the north side of the dam.
Report received via social media.
Report received via social media.
The hail was mostly peas with a few quarter size stones.
Dime to quarter size hail reported.
Dime to nickel size hail with a few quarter sized stones.
Walnut sized hail stones were the largest reported.
Delayed report of hail upwards of ping-pong balls. Some damage to vehicles and crops.
Winds estimated to be 50 mph as well.
Quarter size hail reported by Emergency Manager.
Reported by EM in Manhattan. Time estimated by radar.
Manhattan's hail event record is based on NOAA Storm Events Database reports, which rely on trained spotters, trained volunteers, and damage surveys. With only 1 documented event of 1 inch or larger in the 10-year period, the statistical sample for this city is limited; however, the broader Riley County record of 18 events ≥1 inch provides regional context for storm frequency and severity. 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