Hail history for McDowell County, NC

McDowell County has 141 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 64 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on April 9, 2011.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 141 since 1974

1″ or larger 64 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · April 9, 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 McDowell County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 141 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 1, 2026	0.75″	Penny
March 6, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
June 25, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 25, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 16, 2024	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

April 1, 2026 · 0.75″ (penny)

Public reported 3/4 inch hail.

July 1, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Emergency manager measured 2-inch diameter hail near Old Fort.

April 9, 2011 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball size hail was reported on Rutherford Rd about 2 miles southeast of Marion.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	4	11	50	54	21

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 McDowell County

Has it ever hailed in McDowell County?

Yes — 141 hail events have been recorded for McDowell County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 64 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McDowell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McDowell County, NC is April 1, 2026, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 McDowell County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on April 9, 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 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.