Howard, KS Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm is tracking through Howard, KS overnight on Aug 5–6, 2026, producing 4.09-inch stones and maintaining repeated NWS alerts and radar hail detections. The event is active and continuing to produce radar-detected returns across the NWS alert area covering Howard.

What Happened

The storm sequence began with an NWS warning at 8:47 PM CDT on Aug 5 for one-inch hail. NWS issued a total of 11 alerts between 8:47 PM and 2:03 AM CDT as the system moved through the region. Dual-polarization NEXRAD detections began shortly after the first warning and produced a string of radar-derived hail estimates through the late evening and early morning hours. Radar-derived hail detections were recorded at 9:30 PM, 10:19 PM, 10:33 PM, and 10:52 PM CDT, with additional radar detections after midnight and several later NWS warning-only alerts.

An mPING observer reported half-dollar hail near Howard at 11:55 PM CDT, and that observation time was confirmed against radar returns. The storm is tracking along a concentrated corridor within the NWS alert area. Radar indications and spotter input show the swath is producing variable hail sizes as it progresses through town and adjacent rural areas.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar returns show a localized pattern of surface impact concentrated in and immediately around Howard. The mPING spotter verified half-dollar stones at 11:55 PM CDT in central Howard. Radar-derived detections later in the sequence indicate larger hail along the storm's central swath through the NWS alert area.

At this time there are limited ground reports beyond the mPING observation. Observed and radar-indicated impacts are most likely to be in residential neighborhoods and along the primary route of the storm through Howard. Specific addresses within the NWS alert area should be inspected for dented vehicle panels, broken skylights, and isolated shingle damage where radar returns showed elevated hail intensity. Expect impact patterns to be clustered along the radar-derived swath rather than uniformly distributed across the entire alert area.

Field crews should document all findings with time-stamped photos. Tie each inspection to the local clock time and the NWS alert area that applied when the storm passed. Note roof aspect, tree cover, and vehicle exposure at each property to correlate surface observations with radar-derived hail detections.

What Contractors Should Know

Stage crews near Howard with short travel times to the NWS alert area. Keep teams ready for multiple short assignments rather than one large job. Prioritize properties that show obvious roof punctures or heavily dented vehicles when you arrive. Use a triage approach: photo, tarp, and temporary board-up for roofs with open penetrations; detailed estimates for vehicles and siding where repair is required.