Hail history for Rhea County, TN

Rhea County has 65 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 38 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 20, 2006.

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 65 since 1977

1″ or larger 38 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 20, 2006

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 Rhea County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 65 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 8, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
April 10, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
April 10, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 11, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 5, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 14, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
May 2, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
May 22, 2013	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 14, 2020 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Nickel size hail was reported.

June 11, 2010 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The public reported thunderstorms produced nickel to golfball-size hail on Liberty Hill Road northwest of Dayton.

March 19, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported one mile north of Dayton.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	2	25	25	6	6

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 Rhea County

Has it ever hailed in Rhea County?

Yes — 65 hail events have been recorded for Rhea County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1977, including 38 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rhea County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rhea County, TN is May 8, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Rhea County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 20, 2006. 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.