Hail history for Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County has 102 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 56 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on May 3, 2012.

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 102 since 1971

1″ or larger 56 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · May 3, 2012

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 Tompkins County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 102 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 3, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 22, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 12, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 16, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
June 21, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
June 21, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
July 28, 2019	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

July 3, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Estimated golf ball size hail via social media photo.

May 3, 2012 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

This hailstorm caused major damage to a car dealership denting over 1000 cars leading to significant financial loss of the car company.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	2	5	38	49	7

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 Tompkins County

Has it ever hailed in Tompkins County?

Yes — 102 hail events have been recorded for Tompkins County, NY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1971, including 56 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Tompkins County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Tompkins County, NY is July 3, 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 Tompkins County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on May 3, 2012. 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.