HailHistory › Hail by county › Alabama › Franklin County
Alabama · county FIPS 01059
Hail history for Franklin County, AL
Franklin County has 144 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 79 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on February 12, 2024.
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.
When it hails in Franklin County
Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Franklin County's peak: March.
Most recent recorded events
| Date | Size | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 1.75″ | Golf ball | |
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 2.0″ | Hen egg | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball |
Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Franklin County.
From the storm reports
Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).
· 1.25″ (half dollar)
Half dollar sized hail was estimated from a photo on social media in Frankfort.
· 4.0″ (softball)
An unusually shaped hail stone fell in Russellville and was photographed and reported via social media. This stone consisted of multiple spikes and a lengthwise diameter of approximately 4 inches based upon comparison of a quarter within the photograph. Several other reports of hail stones were received with a diameter of 1 to 2 inches, also consisting of interesting conglomerations, spikes and knobs.
· 3.0″ (tea cup)
The public reported hail of 3 inches in diameter.
Events by decade
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 13 |
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 Franklin County
Has it ever hailed in Franklin County?
Yes — 144 hail events have been recorded for Franklin County, AL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 79 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.
When did it last hail in Franklin County?
The most recent recorded hail event for Franklin County, AL is February 26, 2026, 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 Franklin County?
4.0″ (softball), recorded on February 12, 2024. 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 Alabama hail history
- Jefferson County 490
- Madison County 471
- Cullman County 265
- Tuscaloosa County 264
- Mobile County 242
- Lauderdale County 212
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.