Hail history for Barnwell County, SC

Barnwell County has 67 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 May 20, 2008.

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 67 since 1976

1″ or larger 31 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 20, 2008

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 Barnwell County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 67 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 22, 2020	0.88″	Nickel
June 5, 2019	0.25″	Pea
July 19, 2017	0.5″	Mothball
September 3, 2013	0.88″	Nickel
August 22, 2013	0.88″	Nickel
July 17, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
June 9, 2013	0.75″	Penny
July 5, 2012	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 22, 2020 · 0.88″ (nickel)

EM reported nickel size hail in the town of Elko. Time estimated.

May 20, 2008 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Emergency manager reported baseball size hail in Snelling and golf ball size hail in Barnwell. Storm survey found numerous homes had damage to siding, windows, and roofs. Auto and home windows were broken. Holes were in siding. Vehicles were badly dented. Crops were flattened and there was a blanket of leaves and pine needles that covered the ground and roadways.

March 15, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Sheriff reported golf ball size hail between Blackville and Williston on hwy 78.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	1	16	30	18	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 Barnwell County

Has it ever hailed in Barnwell County?

Yes — 67 hail events have been recorded for Barnwell County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1976, including 31 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Barnwell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Barnwell County, SC is May 22, 2020, 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 Barnwell County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 20, 2008. 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 South Carolina hail history

All 46 South 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.