Hail history for Cape May County, NJ

Cape May County has 31 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 13 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on May 16, 2025.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 31 since 1977

1″ or larger 13 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · May 16, 2025

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 Cape May County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 31 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 1, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
July 1, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
April 21, 2020	0.75″	Penny
July 24, 2012	0.75″	Penny
July 1, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
July 1, 2012	0.75″	Penny
July 1, 2012	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

July 1, 2020 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail (around one inch in diameter) was reported in Petersburg. Time estimated from radar.

June 9, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail fell from a severe thunderstorm in Eldora.

August 10, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail as large as golf balls fell across sections of Lower and Middle Townships in Cape May County. Large hail was reported in Erma (Lower Township), Rio Grande (Middle Township) and Green Creek (Middle Township). The largest hail was reported in Erma.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	0	3	11	12	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 Cape May County

Has it ever hailed in Cape May County?

Yes — 31 hail events have been recorded for Cape May County, NJ in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1977, including 13 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Cape May County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Cape May County, NJ is May 16, 2025, 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 Cape May County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on May 16, 2025. 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 Jersey hail history

All 21 New Jersey 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.