HailHistory › Hail by county › Kentucky › Nicholas County

Kentucky · county FIPS 21181

Hail history for Nicholas County, KY

Nicholas County has 5 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 4 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 10, 2011.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 2.75″ baseball May 10, 2011

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 5 since 1974
1″ or larger 4 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 10, 2011
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.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 5 of 5 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
1.75″ Golf ball
1.0″ Quarter
2.75″ Baseball
0.75″ Penny
1.75″ Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

· 2.75″ (baseball)

Three separate reports of 2.75 inch hail. This hail dented many vehicles and broke several windows.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
00100130

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 Nicholas County

Has it ever hailed in Nicholas County?

Yes — 5 hail events have been recorded for Nicholas County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 4 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Nicholas County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Nicholas County, KY is May 10, 2011, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Nicholas County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 10, 2011. 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.