Hail history for Jackson County, NC

Jackson County has 61 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 33 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 61 since 1985

1″ or larger 33 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 Jackson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 61 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 7, 2023	0.75″	Penny
September 20, 2017	1.25″	Half dollar
July 8, 2016	0.88″	Nickel
July 8, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
June 19, 2014	0.88″	Nickel
July 5, 2012	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 17, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Public reported quarter size hail.

April 26, 2012 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported 6 miles west northwest of Cashiers, with half dollar size hail reported in town.

April 19, 2006 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Reported in the Caney Fork area.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	2	12	26	18	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 Jackson County

Has it ever hailed in Jackson County?

Yes — 61 hail events have been recorded for Jackson County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1985, including 33 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Jackson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Jackson County, NC is May 17, 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 Jackson 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.