Hail history for Union County, NC

Union County has 130 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 69 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.25″ (tennis ball) on April 9, 2011.

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 130 since 1982

1″ or larger 69 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.25″ tennis 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 Union County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 130 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 25, 2025	0.75″	Penny
June 25, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 15, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 10, 2024	0.75″	Penny
September 7, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
September 7, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 17, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

June 25, 2025 · 0.75″ (penny)

Public reported 3/4 inch hail.

May 23, 2014 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported golf ball size hail near Waxhaw.

April 9, 2011 · 2.25″ (tennis ball)

Hail 2.25 inches in diameter was reported on Rehobeth Rd.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	19	31	40	30	10

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 Union County

Has it ever hailed in Union County?

Yes — 130 hail events have been recorded for Union County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1982, including 69 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Union County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Union County, NC is June 25, 2025, 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 Union County?

2.25″ (tennis 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.