Great Bend, KS Hail Storm – October 2026

A hail-producing thunderstorm moved across Great Bend, Kansas, on October 29, 2026, producing a late-evening hail core with stones up to 1.51 inches. Dual-polarization NEXRAD identified successive hail cores as the cell crossed the metro during the early evening hours.

What Happened

The storm sequence began with a radar-detected hail core at 7:25 PM CDT on October 29. Dual-polarization NEXRAD flagged a hail signature near the western side of the metro, then redeveloped and intensified by 8:11 PM CDT as the cell tracked east-northeast across Great Bend. A local spotter recorded dime-to-nickel hail at 8:15 PM CDT and submitted the observation to the National Weather Service; the spotter-verified report described stones in the dime-to-nickel range, with the nickel estimate recorded at 0.88 inches. Radar-derived hail detections and the spotter observation together indicate multiple small-to-moderate hail cores passed through the city within a roughly 45-minute window of early evening convection.

Damage Assessment

Field reports for this event show localized surface impacts concentrated near the metro corridors where the radar cores passed. The spotter-verified dime-to-nickel observation came from east Great Bend and was the only ground report submitted to NWS observers in the immediate area. No submitted local storm reports documented widespread structural damage or large-stone impacts in Barton County tied to this storm.

Given the observed hail sizes in public reports and the timing of the radar cores, the most likely surface outcomes are bruised foliage, chipped or abraded vehicle paint on exposed panels, and granular loss on asphalt shingles where roofs were directly exposed during the late-evening burst. Reports did not indicate citywide vehicle denting or broken skylights in the available observer record. Property owners and municipal maintenance crews near the verified report locations should expect landscaping damage and isolated cosmetic impacts to parked vehicles in the areas beneath the recorded radar cores.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs and exposed vehicle panels first in east and central Great Bend, focusing on south- and west-facing elevations where hail impact angles during early evening storms typically concentrate damage. Check asphalt shingle granule loss along eaves, gutters, and downspout inlets. Photograph granular deposits in gutters and on decking with a time-stamped record. For metal roofs and siding, look for surface pitting and bent flashing at fastener lines.

For vehicle assessments, prioritize late-model cars parked outdoors near the verified spotter location. Document paint chips, windshield pits, and any denting with close-range photos and overall-context shots showing location and orientation. Tree inspections should target young, thin-barked ornamental species and any fruit-bearing trees that remained leafed in late October; look for torn leaves and broken small limbs rather than large limb failures.