In 2024, Missouri witnessed several significant hailstorms, but none matched the magnitude of one nearly two decades ago. This historic storm unleashed the largest hailstone ever documented in the state, surpassing the size of a softball by a significant margin.
Recent years have seen Missouri battered by baseball-sized hail, causing extensive damage, including the destruction of car windows in the St. Louis area.
However, the record-breaking hailstone dates back to May 24, 2004, when Linn County experienced a devastating storm. The hailstones from this event measured a colossal 6 inches in diameter and 16 1/2 inches in circumference, far exceeding the dimensions of a typical softball.
As we approach the months when Missouri typically experiences the most severe hailstorms, it’s important to recognize the potential dangers posed by hail. Even relatively small hailstones, such as those the size of a golf ball, can be lethal if they strike vulnerable areas. With meteorologists warning of a potentially stormier year ahead, the threat of hailstorms looms large over Missouri.