Hail history for Richland County, SC

Richland County has 231 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 116 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on September 25, 1988.

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 231 since 1959

1″ or larger 116 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · September 25, 1988

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 Richland County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 231 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
February 23, 2024	0.5″	Mothball
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea
February 23, 2024	0.5″	Mothball
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea
February 23, 2024	0.25″	Pea

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

From the storm reports

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

February 23, 2024 · 0.5″ (mothball)

Half inch hail was reported at Garners Ferry Rd and Pelham Rd.

April 7, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported hail as large as golf ball size in Blythewood along with high winds and torrential rain.

May 23, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Public reported golfball to baseball size hail in the Lake Carolina Vicinity.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	1	3	28	45	71	57	24

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 Richland County

Has it ever hailed in Richland County?

Yes — 231 hail events have been recorded for Richland County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 116 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Richland County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Richland County, SC is February 23, 2024, with 0.5″ (mothball) 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 Richland County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on September 25, 1988. 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.