Hail history for Transylvania County, NC

Transylvania County has 91 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 31 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on June 24, 1986.

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 91 since 1970

1″ or larger 31 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · June 24, 1986

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 Transylvania County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 91 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 1, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2020	1.75″	Golf ball
April 9, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar
September 20, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
September 20, 2017	0.75″	Penny
August 20, 2014	0.75″	Penny
June 19, 2014	0.75″	Penny
May 20, 2013	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 1, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Public reported up to quarter size hail in the Cedar Mountain area.

May 5, 2020 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Spotter reported golf ball size hail resulting in vehicle damage just outside of Dupont State Forest.

May 12, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported at the Davidson River campground.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	2	8	12	34	33	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 Transylvania County

Has it ever hailed in Transylvania County?

Yes — 91 hail events have been recorded for Transylvania County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1970, including 31 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Transylvania County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Transylvania County, NC is July 1, 2023, 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 Transylvania County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on June 24, 1986. 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.