Hail history for Grainger County, TN

Grainger County has 35 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 18 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 28, 2002.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 35 since 1958

1″ or larger 18 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 28, 2002

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 Grainger County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 35 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 21, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
February 6, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 8, 2024	2.5″	Tennis ball
August 1, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
April 3, 2012	1.25″	Half dollar
July 21, 2008	0.88″	Nickel
August 10, 2006	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

May 8, 2024 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Several reports of tennis ball sized hail from both broadcast media and public reports were received. Significant damage was inflicted in Grainger County, with farmers reporting their tomato greenhouses were significantly damaged by the hail.

April 3, 2012 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

An individual from the public reported thunderstorms produced Kennedy half-dollar-size hail in Rutledge.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	2	0	0	6	19	2	4

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 Grainger County

Has it ever hailed in Grainger County?

Yes — 35 hail events have been recorded for Grainger County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 18 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Grainger County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Grainger County, TN is March 21, 2026, 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 Grainger County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on April 28, 2002. 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 Tennessee hail history

All 95 Tennessee 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.