Hail history in Waterbury, CT
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury on 0.5 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 0.3 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury on 12 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 3.0 in, in 2026. 9 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. July has the most hail days, 5 since 2010. The most recent was July 4, 2026. NOAA also recorded high wind on 74 days, with gusts up to 100 mph.
Ranks #157 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 12
- Largest hail
- 3.0 in
- Highest gust
- 100 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
12 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 3.0 in
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Hail days by year
Bar chart of hail days per year, 2010 to 2026. 12 hail days in total; the most was 2 in 2010.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 0, May 2, Jun 3, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 0, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 2026 | 3.0 in | 8.5 mi |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 0.75 in | 14.7 mi |
| Jun 22, 2024 | 1.5 in | 3.5 mi |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 1.25 in | 14.8 mi |
| Jul 21, 2021 | 1.0 in | 14.8 mi |
| May 11, 2020 | 0.75 in | 12.4 mi |
| Jul 18, 2012 | 1.0 in | 5.0 mi |
| Jul 1, 2012 | 2.0 in | 0.7 mi |
| Aug 1, 2011 | 1.0 in | 0.7 mi |
| Jun 17, 2011 | 0.88 in | 5.1 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Waterbury, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
74 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 100 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | Not recorded | 14.6 mi |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Not recorded | 7.5 mi |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.6 mi |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Not recorded | 2.3 mi |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Not recorded | 2.0 mi |
| May 19, 2026 | Not recorded | 13.4 mi |
| Sep 6, 2025 | 58 mph | 3.0 mi |
| Aug 13, 2025 | 58 mph | 4.3 mi |
| Jul 30, 2025 | 58 mph | 4.8 mi |
| Jul 25, 2025 | 63 mph | 0.7 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Waterbury, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- Wind speed is the highest reported gust; some reports have no speed.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
Gusts, tornadoes and hurricanes in Waterbury
Estimated peak gusts
No day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Waterbury.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
Estimates: the highest gust of each storm day in NOAA’s hourly 2.5 km wind analysis (URMA), which fills in between weather stations. Analyses like this smooth out short thunderstorm gusts, so they are best for widespread wind (hurricanes, winter storms, high wind days); for thunderstorm wind, NOAA’s wind reports are the better record. Not a measurement at any building.
Tornadoes within 10 miles
NOAA recorded 23 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Waterbury since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 3.57 miles | 7.2 miles |
| Aug 27, 2020 | EF1 | 11.1 miles | 8.2 miles |
| Aug 27, 2020 | EF0 | 0.06 miles | 7.9 miles |
| May 15, 2018 | EF1 | 7.36 miles | 8.3 miles |
| May 15, 2018 | EF1 | 3.67 miles | 9.4 miles |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF0 | 0.72 miles | 4.3 miles |
| Jun 9, 2011 | EF1 | 0.04 miles | 9.6 miles |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 1.73 miles | 8.7 miles |
Show all 23Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 0.57 miles | 8.5 miles |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 0.36 miles | 8.9 miles |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 0.16 miles | 9.5 miles |
| Jul 2, 1996 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 0.6 miles |
| Jul 23, 1995 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 5 miles |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 5 miles | 0.3 miles |
| Jul 5, 1984 | EF2 | 3 miles | 8.9 miles |
| Jul 28, 1982 | EF1 | 2.5 miles | 6.3 miles |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF1 | 5.1 miles | 9.7 miles |
| Sep 18, 1973 | EF2 | 0.1 miles | 7.6 miles |
| Jun 12, 1973 | EF2 | 1.5 miles | 6.1 miles |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 0.1 miles | 0.9 miles |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 11.6 miles | 0.6 miles |
| Oct 24, 1955 | EF2 | 0.5 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF2 | 43.9 miles | 9.7 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
28 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Waterbury.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaias (2020) | 51 mph | 41 mph | 76 miles |
| Sandy (2012) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 162 miles |
| Irene (2011) | 60 mph | 49 mph | 25 miles |
| Noel (2007) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 241 miles |
| Bertha (1996) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 15 miles |
| Bob (1991) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 78 miles |
| Gloria (1985) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 6 miles |
| Belle (1976) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 6 miles |
Show all 28Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes (1972) | 55 mph | 44 mph | 45 miles |
| Doria (1971) | 50 mph | 40 mph | 19 miles |
| Esther (1961) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 113 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 62 mph | 50 mph | 38 miles |
| Carol (1954) | 65 mph | 53 mph | 57 miles |
| Able (1952) | 52 mph | 42 mph | 28 miles |
| 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane | 71 mph | 58 mph | 63 miles |
| 1938 New England hurricane | 101 mph | 82 mph | 8 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1934 | 66 mph | 54 mph | 16 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1924 | 60 mph | 48 mph | 24 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1915 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 4 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 62 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 55 mph | 45 mph | 36 miles |
| 1893 Sea Islands hurricane | 64 mph | 52 mph | 46 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 82 mph | 67 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 64 mph | 52 mph | 78 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 7 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1869 | 72 mph | 59 mph | 69 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1866 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 44 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1858 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 55 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
27 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 2.75 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
15 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 1 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Waterbury’s center.
Biggest radar hail days
- 0.75 in+
- 1.0 in+
- 1.5 in+
- 2.0 in+
- 2.5 in+
- 3.0 in+
Most recent radar hail days
| Date | Largest radar estimate |
|---|---|
| Jul 4, 2026 | 2.75 in or more |
| Jun 12, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Jun 11, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Sep 6, 2025 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 13, 2025 | 1.0 in or more |
| Jul 25, 2025 | 1.0 in or more |
Storms in Waterbury
An SPC review of 742 Northeast severe weather events from 1999 to 2009 found the severe season peaks in June through August.1
Notable storms
- July 4, 2026A 3.5-inch hailstone fell in Terryville during the July 4, 2026 storms. A committee of weather experts ruled it Connecticut's largest on record, topping 2.75-inch stones from 1969 and 1995.2
- August 18, 2024On August 18, 2024, storms dropped 5 to 8 inches of rain across southern Connecticut, with local totals of 12 to 13 inches, and the Naugatuck, Pomperaug and Housatonic rivers reached major flood stage. In Oxford, 2 people were swept away by floodwaters and killed.3
- July 1, 2012On July 1, 2012, golf ball size hail, 1.75 inches across, fell in Watertown, Oakville and Wolcott, and 2-inch hail fell in Cheshire.4,5,6,7
- June 5, 2007On June 5, 2007, hail up to 1.75 inches across piled up to 1 inch deep, mainly along I-84 between Southbury and Southington, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation plowed it.8
- July 10, 1989On July 10, 1989, a tornado touched down in Watertown and Waterbury. NOAA's Storm Events Database rates it F2 and lists 70 injuries in Litchfield and New Haven counties, and thunderstorm winds of 80 knots (92 mph) in Litchfield County killed 1 person and injured 10.9,10,11,12
- May 24, 1962On May 24, 1962, an F3 tornado hit Waterbury, Wolcott and Southington, damaging 46 homes and many businesses. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 1 death and 50 injuries across New Haven and Hartford counties.13,14,15
Warnings and alerts
Alert Waterbury, the city's free notification system, sends emergency and weather-related alerts by phone call, text or email to residents who register.16
Sources
- 1. NOAA Storm Prediction Center: Environments of Northeast U.S. Severe Thunderstorm Events from 1999 to 2009
- 2. NBC Connecticut: Hailstone that fell in Terryville during July 4 storm officially breaks state record
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Flash Flood, New Haven County, August 18, 2024
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Litchfield County, July 1, 2012
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Litchfield County, July 1, 2012
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, New Haven County, July 1, 2012
- 7. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, New Haven County, July 1, 2012
- 8. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, New Haven County, June 5, 2007
- 9. NBC Connecticut: The 1989 Tornado Outbreak
- 10. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Litchfield County, July 10, 1989
- 11. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, New Haven County, July 10, 1989
- 12. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Litchfield County, July 10, 1989
- 13. Connecticut History (CT Humanities): Waterbury Tornado: Today in History, May 24
- 14. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, New Haven County, May 24, 1962
- 15. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Hartford County, May 24, 1962
- 16. City of Waterbury: Alert Waterbury
Free hail history
See the hail history near your property.
Enter a street address to see every day since 2010 with NOAA hail and wind reports within 10 miles.
Get a hail report for your whole portfolio.
Send us your properties and we’ll pull the NOAA hail history for every address. Then Cloudbreak watches each one, and you hear from us when a storm tracks toward it.
Questions about hail in Waterbury
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Waterbury?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury on 0.5 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 0.3 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 12 hail days.
- When is hail season in Waterbury?
- July has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury, 5 since 2010, then June (3) and May (2).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Waterbury?
- 3.0 in, in 2026: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Waterbury?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Waterbury is from July 4, 2026, with hail up to 3.0 in reported 8.5 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.