Manhattan Hail — Storm History & NOAA Data for Manhattan, KS

Data current as of 2026-10-16 · Sourced from NOAA Storm Events

Over the past five years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recorded 157 hail storms within 25 miles of Manhattan, KS. Of those, 149 produced hail at least quarter-size — the threshold most insurance carriers consider potentially damaging to asphalt shingles. The largest reported hail in this window was baseball-sized or larger, which can fracture shingle mat and dent metal flashing on contact. 2024 was the most active year on record locally, with 66 documented hail events.

Hail Severity Breakdown — Manhattan Area (Last 5 Years)

Manhattan Hail Storms by Year

2024 was the busiest hail year on record locally for Manhattan, with 66 documented events inside the 25-mile radius. Storm activity in Manhattan typically peaks in spring and early summer, when the jet stream pushes Gulf moisture into the area and supercell thunderstorms become more frequent.

Notable Recent Manhattan Hail Storms

• September 19, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 3 E Olsburg. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Manhattan-area properties.
• September 12, 2026 — Severe hail (ping pong ball-sized) reported near 4 NW Dwight. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Manhattan-area properties.
• September 12, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 1 NE Grandview Plaza. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Manhattan-area properties.
• August 19, 2026 — Severe hail (ping pong ball-sized) reported near 6 SW Milford. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Manhattan-area properties.
• August 19, 2026 — Severe hail (ping pong ball-sized) reported near 7 NNE Chapman. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Manhattan-area properties.

Recent Hail Events Near Manhattan

Wind Storm History — Manhattan Area (Last 5 Years)

NOAA has recorded 176 high-wind events within 25 miles of Manhattan, KS in the past five years. Of those, 176 reached severe-thunderstorm thresholds (58+ mph). The highest measured gust was 115 mph.

Recent Wind Events Near Manhattan

Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Hail

When was the last major hail storm in Manhattan, KS?

The most recent quarter-size-or-larger hail storm recorded by NOAA within 25 miles of Manhattan was on September 19, 2026. HailCheck refreshes from the NOAA Storm Events database daily, so newer events appear here as they are reported.

How often does it hail in Manhattan?

Manhattan averages roughly 31 reported hail events per year within a 25-mile radius. Significant storms (quarter-size or larger) account for 149 of the 157 events recorded over the last five years.

How big does hail typically get in Manhattan?

The largest documented hail near Manhattan in the last five years was baseball-sized or larger. Most Manhattan-area hail falls in the marble-to-quarter range, with destructive storms (egg-size or larger) appearing roughly once every few years.

Does my insurance cover hail damage in KS?

Most homeowners insurance policies in KS cover hail damage to roofs, siding, and gutters under the dwelling and other-structures coverage. Coverage typically requires the damage to be tied to a verifiable storm date — which is where the NOAA hail history above (and a HAAG-style test square validation) becomes important for the claim file.

How do I check hail history for a specific Manhattan address?

Use the HailCheck address search to enter any street address in or near Manhattan. HailCheck returns every NOAA hail event within a configurable radius, along with severity bands, dates, and storm narratives for Pro members.

What a HAAG-Style Test Square Validation Means in Manhattan

If your property in or near Manhattan took on hail during one of the storms above, the standard process for documenting damage is a 10×10 foot test square inspection. A HAAG-trained reviewer counts impact indicators — granule displacement, mat fractures, and bruising — within the marked square and produces a PASS or FAIL document for the claim file.

HailCheck offers a $99 photo-based HAAG-style test square validation. You submit photos from the field, our reviewer evaluates the impact indicators and cross-references the NOAA storm dates listed above, and a written PASS/FAIL determination is returned within one business day. We do not send anyone to the roof — the validation is built around the photos you submit.

Why Manhattan's Location Matters for Hail

Manhattan sits inside the central United States hail belt, where warm Gulf moisture collides with cold continental air to produce supercell thunderstorms capable of dropping the hail documented above. Properties in this zone typically see at least one significant hail event every two to four years.

Other Cities in KS

• Wichita, KS
• Overland Park, KS
• Kansas City, KS
• Topeka, KS
• Olathe, KS
• Lawrence, KS
• Shawnee, KS
• Lenexa, KS
• Salina, KS
• Hutchinson, KS
• Leavenworth, KS
• Leawood, KS
• Dodge City, KS
• Garden City, KS
• Emporia, KS
• Junction City, KS
• Derby, KS
• Prairie Village, KS
• Hays, KS
• Gardner, KS
• Liberal, KS
• Pittsburg, KS
• Newton, KS