Hail history for Darlington County, SC

Darlington County has 116 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 66 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on May 5, 2020.

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 116 since 1960

1″ or larger 66 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · May 5, 2020

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 Darlington County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 116 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 10, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 10, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 10, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 20, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2022	0.75″	Penny
May 6, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 6, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 10, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Estimated half dollar size hail reported in Hartsville. Time estimated from radar.

May 5, 2020 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Large hail and wind destroyed a patio canopy.

April 9, 2011 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail to the size of baseballs was reported by the public on Lake Robinson. The media relayed the report.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	4	3	5	10	56	22	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 Darlington County

Has it ever hailed in Darlington County?

Yes — 116 hail events have been recorded for Darlington County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 66 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Darlington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Darlington County, SC is May 10, 2024, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Darlington County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on May 5, 2020. 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.