Hail history for Leslie County, KY

Leslie County has 85 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 51 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on July 27, 2014.

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 85 since 1980

1″ or larger 51 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · July 27, 2014

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 Leslie County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 85 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 8, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 17, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
May 16, 2023	0.75″	Penny
April 9, 2020	0.88″	Nickel
June 13, 2017	0.88″	Nickel
June 25, 2015	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 8, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Pictures on social media show quarter to ping pong ball sized hail in the Essie community of Leslie County.

July 27, 2014 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Softball size hail was observed in Bear Branch.

July 27, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail was observed in Bear Branch.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	1	14	47	17	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 Leslie County

Has it ever hailed in Leslie County?

Yes — 85 hail events have been recorded for Leslie County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1980, including 51 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Leslie County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Leslie County, KY 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 Leslie County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 27, 2014. 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.