Hail history for Independence County, AR

Independence County has 174 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 93 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.0″ (grapefruit) on January 21, 1999.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 174 since 1955

1″ or larger 93 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 5.0″ grapefruit · January 21, 1999

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Independence County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Independence County's peak: April.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 174 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 27, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
May 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 15, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
October 15, 2022	2.0″	Hen egg
May 21, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
November 21, 2021	0.88″	Nickel
July 9, 2021	0.75″	Penny
July 9, 2021	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Independence County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

April 27, 2026 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf-ball sized hail fell near the community of Cave City.

October 15, 2022 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Delayed report...We received social media pictures of hail from near the Independence and Jackson county line, between Thida and Possum Grape. Time was estimated from radar.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	0	5	15	31	69	43	8

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Independence County

Has it ever hailed in Independence County?

Yes — 174 hail events have been recorded for Independence County, AR in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 93 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Independence County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Independence County, AR is April 27, 2026, with 1.75″ (golf ball) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Independence County?

5.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on January 21, 1999. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Arkansas hail history

All 75 Arkansas counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.