Hail history for Lenoir County, NC

Lenoir County has 111 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 46 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on June 9, 1988.

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 111 since 1958

1″ or larger 46 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · June 9, 1988

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 Lenoir County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 111 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 9, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 23, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 23, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
March 27, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
May 3, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
April 8, 2015	0.88″	Nickel
August 18, 2014	0.88″	Nickel
August 18, 2014	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 9, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The time was estimated based on radar data.

March 25, 2012 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Lenoir county Emergency Manager received calls from the public of golf ball size hail west of Wyse Fork.

August 21, 2007 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The public reported golf ball size hail near Noble Mills road.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	12	30	47	17	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 Lenoir County

Has it ever hailed in Lenoir County?

Yes — 111 hail events have been recorded for Lenoir County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 46 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lenoir County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lenoir County, NC is May 9, 2023, 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 Lenoir County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on June 9, 1988. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. 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.