Hail history for Breathitt County, KY

Breathitt County has 91 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 42 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 16, 2025.

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 91 since 1983

1″ or larger 42 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 16, 2025

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 Breathitt County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 91 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 16, 2025	2.75″	Baseball
May 16, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 16, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
April 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 19, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

May 16, 2025 · 2.75″ (baseball)

A photo was submitted showing two hailstones with a diameter greater than 2 inches in the Lost Creek community. The largest stone appears to be 2.75 inches or larger.

May 16, 2025 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

A photo was shared on social media of multiple hail stones at least 2 inches in diameter near the community of Ned.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	3	17	39	13	19

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 Breathitt County

Has it ever hailed in Breathitt County?

Yes — 91 hail events have been recorded for Breathitt County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1983, including 42 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Breathitt County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Breathitt County, KY is May 16, 2025, with 2.75″ (baseball) 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 Breathitt County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 16, 2025. 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 Kentucky hail history

All 120 Kentucky 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.