Hail history for Smith County, TN

Smith County has 43 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 August 19, 1997.

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 43 since 1961

1″ or larger 18 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · August 19, 1997

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 Smith County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 43 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 23, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 2, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
June 25, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
August 9, 2021	0.88″	Nickel
April 8, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
July 21, 2018	0.88″	Nickel
April 5, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
April 5, 2017	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

March 23, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Estimated 1 inch hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm in South Carthage.

June 25, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Estimated 2 inch hail was reported just north of Gordonsville.

August 19, 1997 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Skywarn Spotter reported hail ranging from the size of golfballs to baseballs.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	1	1	10	7	18	5

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 Smith County

Has it ever hailed in Smith County?

Yes — 43 hail events have been recorded for Smith County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 18 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Smith County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Smith County, TN is March 23, 2025, 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 Smith County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on August 19, 1997. 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.