Hail history for Clay County, NC

Clay County has 19 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 12 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on April 26, 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 19 since 1985

1″ or larger 12 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · April 26, 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 Clay County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 19 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 24, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2012	1.75″	Golf ball
June 15, 2011	1.75″	Golf ball
June 9, 2011	1.75″	Golf ball
May 26, 2011	1.0″	Quarter
June 17, 2009	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 6, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Primarily pea to nickel sized hail fell, largest hailstones were a quarter inch in diameter.

April 26, 2012 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Law enforcement personnel reported thunderstorms produced golfball-size hail in Hayesville.

June 15, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Law enforcement personnel reported thunderstorms produced dime to golfball-size hail in Hayesville.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	3	2	7	4	3

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 Clay County

Has it ever hailed in Clay County?

Yes — 19 hail events have been recorded for Clay County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1985, including 12 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Clay County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Clay County, NC is June 24, 2025, 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 Clay County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on April 26, 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 North Carolina hail history

All 100 North Carolina 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.