Hail history for Putnam County, TN

Putnam County has 121 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 67 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on July 14, 2015.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 121 since 1965

1″ or larger 67 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · July 14, 2015

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 Putnam County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 121 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 7, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
July 12, 2022	0.75″	Penny
June 7, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
June 7, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 7, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2018	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 6, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Estimated quarter size hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm near Baxter.

July 20, 2018 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Facebook reports indicated golfball size hail fell near Algood Elementary School.

July 14, 2015 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Facebook photos and media reports indicated hail ranging from golf ball size up to apple size fell in parts of Cookeville. Damage from the hail was not reported and is unknown.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	2	0	19	31	61	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 Putnam County

Has it ever hailed in Putnam County?

Yes — 121 hail events have been recorded for Putnam County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 67 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Putnam County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Putnam County, TN is May 6, 2024, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Putnam County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on July 14, 2015. 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 Tennessee hail history

All 95 Tennessee 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.