Hail history for Van Buren County, AR

Van Buren County has 166 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 88 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 11, 1973.

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 166 since 1965

1″ or larger 88 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 11, 1973

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 Van Buren County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 166 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
August 7, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
August 7, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball
June 14, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
June 14, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
April 15, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
April 15, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 15, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter-sized hail fell in the community of Bee Branch.

August 7, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball sized hail fell in the town of Chimes.

June 14, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hen egg sized hail fell in Damascus.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	6	15	53	50	29	11

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 Van Buren County

Has it ever hailed in Van Buren County?

Yes — 166 hail events have been recorded for Van Buren County, AR in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 88 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Van Buren County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Van Buren County, AR is September 15, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Van Buren County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 11, 1973. 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.