Norfolk hail storm history
Madison County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Madison County, where Norfolk is located, has experienced 13 hail events of 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years, with the largest recorded hailstone measuring 1.75 inches in diameter. Norfolk sits in central Nebraska where atmospheric conditions—Gulf moisture, elevated mixed-layer convection, and the low-level jet—converge to create favorable conditions for large-hail supercells. This geographic position places the city in a region with measurable hail risk that homeowners should understand.
Hail in Norfolk peaks during May and June, with secondary activity in April and July. The May-June peak reflects the seasonal timing when atmospheric instability is highest across central Nebraska. Of Madison County's 14 documented hail events of 1 inch or larger, 2 were significant events of 1.5 inches or greater—a size capable of functional roof damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 158 recorded events, 51 (32%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Public report of hail estimated up to 0.75 inches in diameter. Report received via mPING.
Public report of hail measured at 1 inch in diameter.
Fire department report of hail estimated up to 1.75 in. in diameter.
Trained spotter report of hail measured up to 1 inch in diameter.
Public report of hail estimated up to quarter sized mixed in with dime sized hail.
Emergency manager report of hail measured up to 1 inch in diameter.
Trained spotter report relayed by EM. Spotter had nickel to quarter size hail.
A storm chaser reported quarter sized hail.
A trained spotter reported quarter sized hail.
The office received a public report of half dollar sized hail.
The office received a couple reports of quarter sized hail in the town of Wayne from both public sou…
The office received a public report of quarter sized hail.
The office received a public report of tennis ball sized hail.
This is the start of a swath of golf ball sized hail reported to the office from the public.
Emergency management sent in a photo of hail in Stanton, NE. Most of the hailstones were around half…
Several reports from the public of quarter sized hail in Norfolk.
Broadcast media relayed report of 2-inch hail.
Public reported 2-inch hail via social media.
Public reported 1.25-inch hail.
Public reported 1-inch hail.
Trained spotter reported 1-inch hail.
CoCoRaHS observer reported 1.75-inch hail.
Public reported 1-inch hail.
Public reported multiple vehicles damaged by 1.25-inch hail.
Several reports received from the public, one was for hail up to quarter size. Several reports withi…
Trained spotter reported ping pong ball sized hail.
Public reported 60 mph wind gusts and hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter.
Public reported vis social media 1.5-inch hail in Pierce.
Public reported 1 inch hail.
Trained spotter reported 2 inch hail.
Trained spotter reported 1 inch hail.
Report from MPing for 1.25 inch hail.
Trained spotter reported 1 inch hail.
Public reported 1.3 inch hail.
The public reported quarter size hail.
Spotters reported mostly nickel size hail, but a couple of quarter size hailstones were also reporte…
Golf ball size hail was reported by the Humphrey Police.
People reported a large quantity of haii ranging from penny size to quarter size 1 mile northwest of…
Nickel to quarter size hail 1/2 mile west of Carroll in Wayne County.
Quarter size hail was reported about 4 1/2 miles southwest of Howells.
Penny size hail was reported just south of Howells.
One inch hail stones were wind driven and pounded sidings of homes in Norfolk.
A trained spotter had quarter size hail and 50 to 60 mph winds.
Hail large than half dollars was reported in Madison.
Madison County's hail record is based on NOAA Storm Events Database reports, which depend on trained spotters, emergency responders, and documented damage assessments. Norfolk's smaller size means fewer spotters report events compared to larger Nebraska cities, so actual event frequency may be underrepresented in the historical record. 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