Hail history for Watauga County, NC

Watauga County has 75 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 40 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on June 2, 1998.

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 75 since 1984

1″ or larger 40 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · June 2, 1998

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 Watauga County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 75 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 29, 2026	0.75″	Penny
April 1, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
July 23, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
May 21, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
March 18, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
May 2, 2016	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 29, 2026 · 0.75″ (penny)

Hail of three quarter inch in diameter was reported near Reese, NC.

May 26, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail up to golf-ball size was reported from Blowing Rock northeast toward Aho.

June 9, 2008 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to the size of baseballs dented vehicle roofs and hoods, and smashed windshields. The hail accumulated to a depth of one inch. The town of Beech Mountain experienced an estimated $10,000 worth of hail damage just to city vehicles and property.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	2	16	23	29	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 Watauga County

Has it ever hailed in Watauga County?

Yes — 75 hail events have been recorded for Watauga County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1984, including 40 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Watauga County?

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

4.0″ (softball), recorded on June 2, 1998. 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.