Hail history for Strafford County, NH

Strafford County has 71 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 38 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on July 19, 2015.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 71 since 1962

1″ or larger 38 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · July 19, 2015

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 Strafford County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 71 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 13, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 13, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 13, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
June 28, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
August 3, 2018	0.75″	Penny
July 28, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
July 28, 2018	1.25″	Half dollar
July 19, 2015	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

August 13, 2023 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

A severe thunderstorm dropped hail the size of half dollars in East Barrington.

July 19, 2015 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A severe thunderstorm produced 2.5 inch hail in Rochester.

July 18, 2008 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

A severe thunderstorm produced multiple reports of hail between 1 and 2 inches in diameter in Strafford.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	2	2	3	43	16	4

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 Strafford County

Has it ever hailed in Strafford County?

Yes — 71 hail events have been recorded for Strafford County, NH in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1962, including 38 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Strafford County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Strafford County, NH is August 13, 2023, 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 Strafford County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on July 19, 2015. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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 New Hampshire hail history

All 10 New Hampshire 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.