Hail history for Swain County, NC

Swain County has 20 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 6 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.25″ (half dollar) on April 26, 2012.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 20 since 1998

1″ or larger 6 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.25″ half dollar · April 26, 2012

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 Swain County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 20 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 25, 2020	0.75″	Penny
September 5, 2015	1.0″	Quarter
July 14, 2015	1.0″	Quarter
May 22, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
April 26, 2012	0.88″	Nickel
April 26, 2012	1.25″	Half dollar
April 3, 2012	0.75″	Penny
April 3, 2012	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

April 25, 2020 · 0.75″ (penny)

Nws co-op observer reported dime size hail covering the ground.

September 5, 2015 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Public and spotters reported dime to nickel size hail on the north side of Bryson City, particularly along Deep Creek Rd near the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

April 26, 2012 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Half dollar size hail fell in Bryson City.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	2	8	9	1

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 Swain County

Has it ever hailed in Swain County?

Yes — 20 hail events have been recorded for Swain County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1998, including 6 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Swain County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Swain County, NC is April 25, 2020, 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 Swain County?

1.25″ (half dollar), recorded on April 26, 2012. 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.