Hail history for Beaufort County, SC

Beaufort County has 133 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 79 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on March 15, 2008.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month March

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 133 since 1970

1″ or larger 79 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · March 15, 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 Beaufort County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 133 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 25, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 25, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 8, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 8, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 24, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 25, 2025 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Nickel sized hail was reported in Burton.

March 15, 2008 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The Beaufort County Emergency Manager and the fixed airport base operator reported that sixty two planes sustained damage due to golf ball to baseball sized hail. Approximately ten percent of the planes were reported a total loss, twenty five percent were no longer air worthy, and the rest had repairable damage. In addition numerous cars sustained damage.

March 15, 2008 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball sized hail was reported by the public on Hilton Head Island.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	2	6	25	48	41	11

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 Beaufort County

Has it ever hailed in Beaufort County?

Yes — 133 hail events have been recorded for Beaufort County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1970, including 79 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Beaufort County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Beaufort County, SC is May 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 Beaufort County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on March 15, 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.