Hail history for McLean County, KY

McLean County has 43 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 25 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on October 6, 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 43 since 1960

1″ or larger 25 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · October 6, 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 McLean County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 43 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 30, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
March 15, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 15, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 8, 2024	0.75″	Penny
July 2, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 25, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
August 1, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
March 27, 2017	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 30, 2025 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Hail up to the size of nickes fell near Poverty.

March 15, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golfball size hail occurred along Highway 56 near the Webster county line.

October 6, 2014 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Large hailstones slightly larger than golf balls fell in Calhoun. The hailstones were photographed by at least two weather enthusiasts.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	1	0	4	23	6	7

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 McLean County

Has it ever hailed in McLean County?

Yes — 43 hail events have been recorded for McLean County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 25 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McLean County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McLean County, KY is March 30, 2025, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 McLean County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on October 6, 2014. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.