Hail history for Mitchell County, NC

Mitchell County has 35 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 15 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf 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 35 since 1985

1″ or larger 15 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf 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 Mitchell County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 35 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 1, 2026	0.75″	Penny
August 7, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2014	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
July 3, 2012	0.75″	Penny
April 30, 2012	1.25″	Half dollar
April 30, 2012	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Mitchell 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)

Spotter reported 3/4 inch hail in northern Mitchell County.

April 30, 2012 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Half dollar size hail was reported along highway 226.

April 9, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported in the Bakersville area.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	2	3	17	11	2

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 Mitchell County

Has it ever hailed in Mitchell County?

Yes — 35 hail events have been recorded for Mitchell County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1985, including 15 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Mitchell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County?

1.75″ (golf 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.