Grand Island hail storm history
Hall County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Hall County has experienced 1 documented hail event of 1 inch or larger in the NOAA historical record. Grand Island sits in central Nebraska, a region where atmospheric conditions—Gulf moisture convergence, elevated mixed-layer convection, and the low-level jet stream—create favorable conditions for hail-producing supercell thunderstorms during spring and early summer.
Hail risk in Grand Island peaks during May and June, with secondary risk periods in April and July. The timing reflects the seasonal positioning of the jet stream and increasing atmospheric instability as warm-season moisture becomes available. Large-hail supercells capable of producing 1.5-inch hail or greater are most likely during the May-June window.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 164 recorded events, 57 (35%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Hail up to the size of half dollars was reported along this path.
Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported across the northern portions of Grand Island.
Hail up to quarter size hail was reported, likely accompanied by wind gusts near 50 MPH. Crops in th…
Hail up to two inches in diameter was reported across Grand Island.
Hail ranging in size from quarters to two inches in diameter was reported in this area.
Hail as large as golf balls to 2 inches in diameter was reported along this path.
Hail up to the size of quarters was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH. This wind…
Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported in Farwell by an NWS Employee. Emergency management l…
Hail up to two inches in diameter was reported. Emergency management reported that corn fields in th…
Hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls was reported along and near this path.
Hail up to golf ball size was reported in and near Marquette.
Quarter to half dollar size hail was reported on the west and north sides of Grand Island.
Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported on Highway 281 north of Hansen.
Wind-driven hail up to the size of golf balls caused significant siding damage to an area home.
Nickel size hail was reported three miles south of Elba on Highway 11.
Hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls was reported.
Hail up to half dollar size fell across parts of Grand Island.
Hail of half dollar to ping pong ball size was reported along this path. Half dollar size hail was r…
Hail ranging in size from quarters to ping pong balls was reported along the path.
Report was received from the trained spotter via Twitter.
Hail up to the size of tennis balls and baseballs was reported along this path, including on Highway…
Hail ranging from quarter to ping pong ball size was reported in town.
The combination of hail up to the size of golf balls and wind gusts of 60-75 MPH resulted in damage …
Hail up to 2 inches in diameter was reported.
This storm also produced wind gusts of 80 MPH and 88 MPH, recorded by the Grand Island Airport ASOS.
Report was via Facebook.
Quarter to golf ball size hail was reported.
Quarter to golf ball sized hail occurred.
Quarter size hail was accompanied by 60 MPH winds.
Up to hen egg size hail was reported in and near Aurora.
Hail ranging from quarter to tennis ball size was reported across much of Grand Island.
Hail ranging in size from nickels to ping pong balls was reported.
Penny to quarter size hail was reported on the Hall and Merrick County line.
Hail ranging from quarter to tennis ball size was reported, with the largest located northwest of to…
Hail was accompanied by 60 MPH wind gusts.
Grand Island's low historical event count reflects the randomness of hail strike location rather than the absence of hail risk in the region. NOAA's Storm Events Database captures reports from trained spotters, emergency management officials, and damage assessments; sparse populated areas or events outside trained spotter networks may not be recorded. Hall County's documented 1.75-inch hail event on May 19, 2025 demonstrates that significant damage-capable hail does occur in this location. 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