Hail history for Chester County, SC

Chester County has 94 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 50 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on September 8, 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 94 since 1963

1″ or larger 50 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · September 8, 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 Chester County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 94 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 22, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 10, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 10, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 6, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2020	1.75″	Golf ball
July 15, 2017	0.75″	Penny
March 1, 2017	0.75″	Penny
May 2, 2016	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 22, 2025 · 0.75″ (penny)

Public reported a lot of penny size hail.

May 10, 2024 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported quarter to golf ball size hail in the Lowrys area.

June 16, 2009 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A swath of very large, damaging hail began about two miles south of Chester, along highway 321. The area of damage ran roughly parallel to highway 321 for around 6 miles, ending just south of Cornwell Rd. The very large wind driven hail caused significant damage to some structures.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	1	8	20	38	20	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 Chester County

Has it ever hailed in Chester County?

Yes — 94 hail events have been recorded for Chester County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 50 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Chester County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Chester County, SC is April 22, 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 Chester County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on September 8, 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 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.