Hail history for Union County, NJ

Union County has 26 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 13 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on July 18, 2006.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 26 since 1987

1″ or larger 13 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · July 18, 2006

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 Union County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 26 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 4, 2021	1.25″	Half dollar
June 4, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
October 30, 2016	0.75″	Penny
October 11, 2010	0.88″	Nickel
July 26, 2009	0.88″	Nickel
July 26, 2009	1.0″	Quarter
June 26, 2009	0.88″	Nickel
June 26, 2009	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

June 4, 2021 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail reported.

March 21, 2003 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Trained spotters reported golf ball size hail in New Providence at 525 pm and penny size hail in Union at 530 pm.

June 19, 2002 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Spotters reported ping pong size (1-3/4 inch) hail at 6:25 pm in Elizabeth, 1 inch diameter hail at 6:30 pm 5 miles south of Elizabeth, and 3/4-inch diameter hail at 6:40 pm in Elizabeth.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	1	5	16	2	2

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 Union County

Has it ever hailed in Union County?

Yes — 26 hail events have been recorded for Union County, NJ in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1987, including 13 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Union County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Union County, NJ is June 4, 2021, 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 Union County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on July 18, 2006. 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 New Jersey hail history

All 21 New Jersey 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.