Severe Storms Bring Massive Hail to Missouri and Kansas

Golf ball-sized to 4-inch hail reported as thunderstorms move through the region

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Severe thunderstorms swept across Kansas and Missouri on Tuesday evening, producing multiple reports of large hail ranging from golf ball-sized to over 4 inches in diameter. The National Weather Service received the first hail report around 5:20 p.m. in Johnson County, Kansas, with additional reports of grapefruit-sized hailstones following as the storms strengthened and moved northeast.

Why it matters

Hail of this magnitude can cause significant damage to homes, vehicles, and crops, posing a serious threat to public safety. The storms highlight the unpredictable and severe weather patterns that have become more common in the Midwest due to climate change.

The details

According to National Weather Service storm reports, the first hail report came around 5:20 p.m., when quarter-size hail was reported in Johnson County, Kansas. As the storms intensified and moved northeast, additional reports of larger hail followed, with social media photos showing hailstones roughly the size of grapefruits.

  • The first hail report came around 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2026 in Johnson County, Kansas.
  • Additional reports of larger hail followed as the storms strengthened and moved northeast through the evening.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings.

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What they’re saying

“Hail of this magnitude can cause significant damage to homes, vehicles, and crops, posing a serious threat to public safety.”

— National Weather Service

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storms and issue any necessary severe weather alerts for the region.

The takeaway

These severe storms highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, underscoring the need for communities to be prepared and resilient in the face of such natural disasters.