Hail history for Nelson County, KY

Nelson County has 72 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 52 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on May 1, 2002.

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 72 since 1981

1″ or larger 52 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · May 1, 2002

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 Nelson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 72 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
February 19, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 10, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 10, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 14, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
February 28, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
February 28, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
November 29, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
November 29, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

February 19, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail was a little larger than quarter size.

May 19, 2022 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball-sized hail was observed near Boston.

May 19, 2022 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Two inch diameter hail was observed near Boston and caused damage to car windows.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	4	7	20	27	14

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 Nelson County

Has it ever hailed in Nelson County?

Yes — 72 hail events have been recorded for Nelson County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1981, including 52 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Nelson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Nelson County, KY is February 19, 2026, 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 Nelson County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 1, 2002. 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.