Lancaster County, Nebraska: hail history 2014–2026
The National Weather Service logged 186 hail reports in Lancaster County between January 2014 and June 2026. On 54 days the largest stone was an inch or bigger, the size NWS calls severe. The biggest was 5 inches, about the size of a softball, reported on May 9, 2016 near Cheneys. June is the peak month (31% of reports).
- 186hail reports, 2014–2026
- 54days with hail of 1 in or more
- 25days with hail of 1.75 in or more (golf ball)
- 5 inlargest stone reported
Has severe hail hit Lancaster County since my roof was put on?
Our record covers 2014–2026 only. A roof older than 2014 has also been through hail we do not show here. A day counts when at least one report of 1 inch or larger was filed in the county, so it does not mean your own roof was hit; an inspection is the only way to know.
Year by year
| Year | Reports | Days 1 in+ | Days 1.75 in+ | Largest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 3.5 in |
| 2015 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 2.5 in |
| 2016 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 5 in |
| 2017 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 2.5 in |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.75 in |
| 2019 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1.75 in |
| 2020 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 in |
| 2022 | 27 | 6 | 5 | 3.5 in |
| 2023 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2.5 in |
| 2024 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2.5 in |
| 2025 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 in |
| 2026 (Jan–Jun) | 29 | 5 | 2 | 2.5 in |
When hail hits: reports by month
| Jan | 0 |
|---|---|
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 2 |
| Apr | 44 |
| May | 39 |
| Jun | 57 |
| Jul | 14 |
| Aug | 6 |
| Sep | 21 |
| Oct | 3 |
| Nov | 0 |
| Dec | 0 |
June alone has 31% of the 186 reports. Book an inspection before the first month with reports so crews still have dates.
Where hail of 1 inch or more was reported in Lancaster County
- 1 to 1.74 in
- 1.75 to 2.74 in (golf ball to tennis ball)
- 2.75 in and up (baseball)
164 reports of 1 inch or larger have coordinates; the map shows the 140 largest. Each dot is a place a spotter, a trained observer or the public reported hail, not a measured storm path.
Sources: NOAA Storm Events (report locations) · US Census cartographic boundary (county outline, public domain)The ten biggest hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Reports | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2016 | 5 in, a softball | 9 | Cheneys |
| June 14, 2022 | 3.5 in, a teacup | 5 | Malcolm |
| June 16, 2014 | 3.5 in, a teacup | 1 | Raymond |
| June 11, 2026 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 9 | Agnew |
| September 6, 2015 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 4 | Lincoln |
| June 7, 2022 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 3 | Davey |
| May 7, 2023 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 3 | Raymond |
| April 26, 2024 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 3 | Davey |
| June 16, 2017 | 2.5 in, a tennis ball | 2 | West Lincoln |
| June 3, 2014 | 2.25 in, a hen egg | 5 | Waverly |
“Numerous reports giant hail from the southeast side of the city of Lincoln include a measured 5 inch stone near 96th and Pine Streets. The hail did a tremendous amount of damage to homes, vehicles, and a golf course. Hail was noted to have come through roofs and walls of homes in the area.”
National Weather Service report, May 9, 2016
“Report of ping pong sized hail covering the ground with the a few stones as big as 3.5 inches. Substantial damage to trees, crops, and vehicles.”
National Weather Service report, June 14, 2022
“There were reports from spotters, the public, and the co-op observer of hail which measured up to 3.50 inches in diameter.”
National Weather Service report, June 16, 2014
Tornadoes in Lancaster County
NOAA lists 17 tornadoes in the county in 2014–2026; the 8 strongest are below. Tornadoes tear off whole roof sections, which is a different repair from hail bruising.
| Date | Rating | Path length | Width | Near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 26, 2024 | EF3 | 5.25 mi | 700 yd | Havelock · 0 deaths, 3 injured |
| December 15, 2021 | EF2 | 9.22 mi | 70 yd | Pleasant Dale |
| May 11, 2014 | EF2 | 2.5 mi | 300 yd | Raymond |
| May 5, 2019 | EF2 | 0.55 mi | 200 yd | Lakeview |
| May 6, 2015 | EF1 | 6.16 mi | 500 yd | Princeton |
| May 11, 2014 | EF1 | 5.27 mi | 280 yd | Raymond |
| May 11, 2014 | EF1 | 3 mi | 400 yd | Malcolm |
| April 26, 2024 | EF1 | 2.96 mi | 150 yd | Waverly |
Strongest thunderstorm gusts
| Date | Gust | Near |
|---|---|---|
| August 9, 2025 | 100 mph | Berks |
| July 1, 2018 | 98 mph | Havelock |
| December 15, 2021 | 93 mph | (Lnk)Lincoln Arpt |
| May 5, 2019 | 92 mph | Emerald |
| December 15, 2021 | 92 mph | Bennet |
| July 31, 2024 | 92 mph | Denton |
Gust speeds are measured or estimated; reports in knots are converted to mph.
What to do with this
- Find the year your roof went on (closing papers, permit, a past invoice). Use the box above to see how many severe hail days it has lived through.
- After any day on the table, photograph the roof and keep the date: insurers ask for it.
- Get a free inspection from a local roofer: Lincoln.
Lancaster County cities we cover
Other Nebraska counties
- Douglas County (198 reports)
All counties: hail history hub · live hail map. Data: NOAA Storm Events Database, 2014–2026, county level, public domain. The 2026 row is partial: NOAA's file ran to June 2026 when we loaded it on 2026-10-06. Reports are filed by spotters, trained observers and the public; one storm can produce many reports. Not a forecast, not legal advice.