Hail history for Letcher County, KY

Letcher County has 41 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 24 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 18, 1995.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 41 since 1984

1″ or larger 24 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 18, 1995

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 Letcher County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 41 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 29, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball
May 15, 2018	0.75″	Penny
May 2, 2016	1.75″	Golf ball
April 25, 2015	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 25, 2015	1.0″	Quarter
April 25, 2015	1.0″	Quarter
April 29, 2014	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 14, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Another social media picture shows hail scattered on the ground in the community of Eolia. Multiple stones of at least quarter-size are visible.

May 29, 2019 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A trained spotter and local media reported quarter to golf ball sized hail northeast of Jenkins, including along U.S. Highway 23.

May 2, 2016 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Numerous reports of quarter to golf ball size hail were sent in by the public and trained spotters.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	3	10	15	12	1

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 Letcher County

Has it ever hailed in Letcher County?

Yes — 41 hail events have been recorded for Letcher County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1984, including 24 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Letcher County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Letcher County, KY is April 14, 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 Letcher County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 18, 1995. 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 Kentucky hail history

All 120 Kentucky 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.