Hail history for King County, TX

King County has 123 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 96 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.0″ (grapefruit) on April 29, 2025.

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 123 since 1960

1″ or larger 96 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 5.0″ grapefruit · April 29, 2025

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 King County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 123 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 31, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 29, 2025	5.0″	Grapefruit
May 2, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 27, 2021	2.75″	Baseball
May 13, 2020	0.75″	Penny
May 20, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball
May 18, 2017	1.75″	Golf ball
July 8, 2016	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 31, 2026 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A storm chaser reported hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls south of the Cottle/King County line along US Highway 83.

April 29, 2025 · 5.0″ (grapefruit)

Several reports were received of a swath of hail across a portion of King County from south of Guthrie to east of Guthrie. Reported hail ranged in size from golf ball to DVD-size. No damage was reported.

July 1, 2004 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Softball size hail was reported by the FD.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	0	12	37	50	18	5

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 King County

Has it ever hailed in King County?

Yes — 123 hail events have been recorded for King County, TX in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 96 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in King County?

The most recent recorded hail event for King County, TX is March 31, 2026, 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 King County?

5.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on April 29, 2025. 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 Texas hail history

All 254 Texas 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.