Hail history for Pike County, KY

Pike County has 138 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 83 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on June 5, 1977.

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 138 since 1965

1″ or larger 83 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · June 5, 1977

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 Pike County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 138 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 16, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 16, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

A spotter sent a photo of hail falling between 12:15 and 12:20pm EDT in the Elkhorn City area.

April 8, 2015 · 2.75″ (baseball)

A member of the public reported hail of varying sizes up to baseball size. The hail at this location dented vehicles and smashed out vehicle windshields.

June 21, 2011 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

The Big Creek fire chief reported the Pike county emergency manager that several windshields in area vehicles had been broken out by 3 inch diameter hail stones.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	1	1	21	52	47	15

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 Pike County

Has it ever hailed in Pike County?

Yes — 138 hail events have been recorded for Pike County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 83 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pike County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pike County, KY is May 16, 2025, with 2.0″ (hen egg) 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 Pike County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on June 5, 1977. 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.