Hail history for Shelby County, TN

Shelby County has 312 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 176 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on April 11, 1987.

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 312 since 1958

1″ or larger 176 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · April 11, 1987

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 Shelby County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 312 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 28, 2026	0.75″	Penny
April 28, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 28, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
August 14, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 2, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 2, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 3, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 2, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 2, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail at NWS Memphis. Lasted 2-3 minutes.

April 7, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Several cars were damaged by the large hail.

May 15, 1995 · 2.75″ (baseball)

A tree and light pole fell on a pickup truck. A few other trees were knocked down.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	9	19	20	44	84	86	49

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 Shelby County

Has it ever hailed in Shelby County?

Yes — 312 hail events have been recorded for Shelby County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 176 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Shelby County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Shelby County, TN is April 28, 2026, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Shelby County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on April 11, 1987. 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.