Hail history for Pickens County, SC

Pickens County has 171 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 89 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 3, 1998.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 171 since 1961

1″ or larger 89 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 3, 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 Pickens County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 171 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 26, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 2, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 2, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 26, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Public reported (via Social Media) up to ping pong ball size hail with damage to a vehicle in the Pickens area.

June 15, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Ham radio operator reported golf ball size hail.

April 20, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported golf ball size hail near Liberty. Spotter reported penny size hail in Pickens.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	3	10	37	51	49	19

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 Pickens County

Has it ever hailed in Pickens County?

Yes — 171 hail events have been recorded for Pickens County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 89 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pickens County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pickens County, SC is June 26, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong ball) 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 Pickens County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 3, 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.