Hail history for Essex County, NY

Essex County has 80 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 40 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on July 14, 1957.

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 80 since 1957

1″ or larger 40 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · July 14, 1957

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 Essex County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 80 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 10, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 20, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
September 7, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
August 4, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
August 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
August 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 24, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 13, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 10, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail estimated at 1.5 inches in diameter while hiking between Dail and Nippletop mountains.

October 10, 2020 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported up to golf ball size hail fell with minor damage to vehicles.

August 30, 2007 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball sized hail was reported in the town of Paradox as well as several downed trees.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	0	0	3	37	27	11

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 Essex County

Has it ever hailed in Essex County?

Yes — 80 hail events have been recorded for Essex County, NY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 40 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Essex County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Essex County, NY is July 10, 2024, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Essex County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on July 14, 1957. 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 New York hail history

All 62 New York 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.