Pretty Prairie, KS Hail Storm – April 2025

Pretty Prairie, KS saw a concluded hail event on April 17, 2025, with a peak confirmed hail size of 1.25 inches. The storm produced two hail alerts as it crossed the area overnight.

What Happened

The first alert came at 11:00 PM CDT on April 16 with 1-inch hail detected by dual-polarization radar. A second alert followed at 1:22 AM CDT on April 17, when radar confidence supported 1.25-inch hail. The storm remained in the warning area through the overnight period and then concluded after the second alert.

Both alerts were tied to dual-polarization radar confidence. The sequence shows hail growth from quarter-plus size into 1.25-inch hail during the same storm track. That places the event in the range associated with roof, siding, window, and soft metal impacts in exposed areas.

Damage Assessment

The hail size range in this event is consistent with visible but uneven exterior damage. One-inch hail can leave impacts on roof accessories, thin metal trim, vents, and gutters. At 1.25 inches, the risk rises for bruised asphalt shingles, cracked plastic components, dented aluminum surfaces, and damage to skylight covers and condensers.

Property impact can vary block by block inside the warning area. Roofs with older shingles, light-gauge metal, and unprotected accessories are more likely to show immediate signs. Vehicles parked outside during the storm may carry impact marks on hoods, roofs, mirrors, and windshields. Agricultural structures, fencing, and patio covers can also show localized hail strikes where exposure was direct.

For contractors, the key field signal is not just the peak size. It is the transition from 1-inch hail to 1.25-inch hail during the same overnight storm path. That pattern often supports a broader canvass of roofs, exterior trim, and mechanical equipment across the affected area.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with the addresses closest to the alert path and work outward through the warning area. Prioritize steep-slope roofs, older shingle systems, skylights, gutters, and soft metal components. In a storm like this, the visible exterior marks may be light from the street but more concentrated on slopes, dormers, and edges that took the most direct exposure.

Ground-level checks should include downspouts, fence caps, HVAC housings, window screens, and patio enclosures. If the property has exterior soft metals or painted trim, document dents and spatter patterns before any cleanup begins. In rural edges around Pretty Prairie, also check outbuildings and detached structures, since those often show the clearest hail pattern after an overnight event.

Crews should keep the timeline in mind. The first hail signal arrived at 11:00 PM CDT, and the larger alert followed at 1:22 AM CDT. That leaves a narrow overnight window for matching homeowner reports, vehicle damage, and roof hits to the same storm passage.