Hail history for Onslow County, NC

Onslow County has 193 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 77 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 21, 1997.

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 193 since 1974

1″ or larger 77 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 21, 1997

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 Onslow County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 193 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 23, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 23, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 23, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 11, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 11, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 23, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported in the Back Swamp area near the Richlands Airport. The report came in via Facebook.

April 23, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Richlands Airport police reported hail damage to vehicles and buildings at the airport. The hail was estimated to be half dollar size or larger. The time was estimated based on radar data.

March 22, 2014 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Spotter reported golf ball sized hail in Swansboro.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	3	8	29	105	39	9

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 Onslow County

Has it ever hailed in Onslow County?

Yes — 193 hail events have been recorded for Onslow County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 77 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Onslow County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Onslow County, NC is April 23, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong ball) 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 Onslow County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on April 21, 1997. 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.