Hail history for Orange County, NC

Orange County has 84 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 45 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 14, 1967.

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 84 since 1956

1″ or larger 45 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 14, 1967

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 Orange County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 84 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 29, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 29, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
October 17, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 1, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 7, 2021	0.75″	Penny
May 21, 2018	0.75″	Penny
April 28, 2016	1.75″	Golf ball
March 14, 2016	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 29, 2026 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch hail was measured near Carrboro.

April 28, 2016 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Quarter sized to golf ball sized hail fell along a one mile swath along highway 54 near the intersection of Orange Grove Road in Teer. The hail covered the road and was approximately half an inch deep, causing the road to be closed for a short period of time.

June 25, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported near Fordham Boulevard and East Franklin Street.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	1	14	20	26	15	5

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 Orange County

Has it ever hailed in Orange County?

Yes — 84 hail events have been recorded for Orange County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 45 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Orange County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Orange County, NC is April 29, 2026, 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 Orange County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 14, 1967. 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.