Hail history for Cortland County, NY

Cortland County has 61 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 30 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on May 26, 2011.

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 61 since 1978

1″ or larger 30 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · May 26, 2011

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 Cortland County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 61 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 10, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 17, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
July 17, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
June 21, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
June 21, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
August 12, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
June 5, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
July 18, 2016	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

July 17, 2021 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A severe thunderstorm produced 1 inch hail.

June 9, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail lasted for nearly nine minutes.

May 10, 2000 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Some road flooding was also reported along with the hail due to heavy rain.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	0	8	26	21	5

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 Cortland County

Has it ever hailed in Cortland County?

Yes — 61 hail events have been recorded for Cortland County, NY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1978, including 30 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Cortland County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Cortland County, NY is July 10, 2024, 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 Cortland County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on May 26, 2011. 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 York hail history

All 62 New York 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.