Hail history for York County, PA

York County has 164 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 88 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on April 9, 1980.

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 164 since 1955

1″ or larger 88 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · April 9, 1980

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 York County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 164 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 16, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
March 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
September 22, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
September 22, 2024	0.75″	Penny
September 21, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 15, 2024	0.75″	Penny
April 15, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 16, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

A severe thunderstorm produced quarter to ping-pong sized hail west of Codorus State Park in the vicinity of Lakeview Terrace.

August 2, 2008 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hen egg size hail (2 inch diameter) was reported near Dallastown.

July 30, 1999 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail the size of peaches fell in Seven Valleys, Jocobus, Glen Rock and Shrewsbury.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	6	6	17	60	54	16

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 York County

Has it ever hailed in York County?

Yes — 164 hail events have been recorded for York County, PA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 88 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in York County?

The most recent recorded hail event for York County, PA is March 16, 2025, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 York County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on April 9, 1980. 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 Pennsylvania hail history

All 67 Pennsylvania 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.