Hail history in Lakeland, FL
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland on 0.6 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 0.1 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland on 20 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 1.75 in, in 2024. 7 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. June has the most hail days, 7 since 2010. The most recent was May 13, 2024. NOAA also recorded high wind on 35 days, with gusts up to 72 mph.
Ranks #168 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 20
- Largest hail
- 1.75 in
- Highest gust
- 72 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
20 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 1.75 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. 20 hail days in total; the most was 3 in 2010.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 2, Apr 1, May 2, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 1, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2024 | 1.75 in | 13.9 mi |
| Aug 12, 2020 | 0.75 in | 5.0 mi |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 0.75 in | 5.5 mi |
| Jul 21, 2017 | 0.88 in | 2.9 mi |
| Sep 26, 2016 | 0.88 in | 10.2 mi |
| Mar 24, 2016 | 0.88 in | 12.2 mi |
| Jul 11, 2015 | 0.75 in | 9.5 mi |
| Jul 3, 2015 | 1.0 in | 9.5 mi |
| Jul 20, 2014 | 0.75 in | 6.9 mi |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 0.88 in | 10.7 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Lakeland, 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.
35 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 72 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 5, 2024 | 60 mph | 8.0 mi |
| Apr 3, 2024 | 49 mph | 13.8 mi |
| May 22, 2023 | 49 mph | 14.7 mi |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 59 mph | 7.1 mi |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 58 mph | 0.5 mi |
| Apr 10, 2021 | 58 mph | 14.2 mi |
| Feb 13, 2021 | 49 mph | 12.7 mi |
| Jul 22, 2020 | 60 mph | 8.3 mi |
| May 5, 2019 | 59 mph | 6.6 mi |
| Apr 19, 2019 | 69 mph | 4.5 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Lakeland, 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 Lakeland
Estimated peak gusts
3 days since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Lakeland.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2025 | 58 mph or more |
| Oct 9, 2024 | 70 mph or more |
| Nov 10, 2022 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 28, 2022 | 70 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 56 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Lakeland since 1950; the strongest was rated EF4.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 2020 | EF1 | 12.93 miles | 4.4 miles |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF2 | 11.45 miles | 4.8 miles |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF2 | 0.59 miles | 8.1 miles |
| Mar 31, 2011 | EF1 | 0.83 miles | 5.8 miles |
| May 12, 2009 | EF0 | 0.04 miles | 3.1 miles |
| Jun 24, 2006 | EF0 | 0.3 miles | 5.9 miles |
| Jun 30, 2005 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 6.9 miles |
| Apr 23, 2005 | EF1 | 7 miles | 7.2 miles |
Show all 56Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2004 | EF0 | 3.6 miles | 3.8 miles |
| Feb 24, 2004 | EF0 | 0.3 miles | 8.2 miles |
| Aug 14, 2002 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 7.3 miles |
| Jul 25, 2002 | EF0 | 1 miles | 7.5 miles |
| Jul 30, 2000 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 1.8 miles |
| May 21, 1999 | EF1 | 1.5 miles | 2 miles |
| May 19, 1999 | EF0 | 1.5 miles | 4.7 miles |
| Sep 25, 1998 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 5.5 miles |
| Oct 31, 1997 | EF1 | 4 miles | 8.6 miles |
| Jun 5, 1997 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.6 miles |
| Oct 7, 1996 | EF0 | 6 miles | 8.7 miles |
| Oct 7, 1996 | EF0 | 11 miles | 8.2 miles |
| Mar 30, 1996 | EF0 | 2.5 miles | 10 miles |
| May 18, 1994 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jan 4, 1993 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 28, 1992 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 21, 1992 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 8.6 miles |
| Jun 24, 1991 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 8 miles |
| Jun 1, 1991 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 5.5 miles |
| Apr 25, 1991 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Mar 18, 1991 | EF1 | 2 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jan 19, 1991 | EF0 | 0.8 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jul 7, 1990 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 10, 1989 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Apr 13, 1989 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 7.8 miles |
| Jun 22, 1988 | EF1 | 1 miles | 6 miles |
| Jul 1, 1984 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 8, 1983 | EF1 | 1 miles | 7 miles |
| Jul 31, 1982 | EF1 | 0.3 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 5, 1977 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 1.8 miles |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 2.3 miles |
| May 15, 1974 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 6 miles |
| May 6, 1974 | EF1 | 2 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Jan 22, 1973 | EF1 | 1.5 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Nov 29, 1971 | EF2 | 0.5 miles | 2.5 miles |
| Jul 2, 1971 | EF0 | 1 miles | 2.5 miles |
| Mar 3, 1971 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 2.3 miles |
| Nov 11, 1968 | EF1 | 57.2 miles | 2.9 miles |
| Apr 4, 1966 | EF2 | 123.3 miles | 7.6 miles |
| Apr 4, 1966 | EF4 | 135.8 miles | 4.7 miles |
| Jan 11, 1964 | EF1 | 4.7 miles | 3.8 miles |
| Mar 15, 1960 | EF1 | 1 miles | 5.3 miles |
| Jul 21, 1958 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.6 miles |
| May 16, 1957 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.5 miles |
| Mar 4, 1957 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 1 miles |
| Jul 2, 1956 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 4.4 miles |
| Dec 4, 1951 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 6.4 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
56 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Lakeland.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton (2024) | 91 mph | 74 mph | 18 miles |
| Helene (2024) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 149 miles |
| Nicole (2022) | 51 mph | 41 mph | 12 miles |
| Ian (2022) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 54 miles |
| Irma (2017) | 78 mph | 63 mph | 11 miles |
| Wilma (2005) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 134 miles |
| Jeanne (2004) | 77 mph | 63 mph | 3 miles |
| Frances (2004) | 67 mph | 54 mph | 8 miles |
Show all 56Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charley (2004) | 69 mph | 56 mph | 20 miles |
| Gabrielle (2001) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 10 miles |
| Erin (1995) | 60 mph | 49 mph | 11 miles |
| Elena (1985) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 123 miles |
| Isidore (1984) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 7 miles |
| David (1979) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 85 miles |
| Gladys (1968) | 78 mph | 63 mph | 61 miles |
| Alma (1966) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 96 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 84 mph | 68 mph | 12 miles |
| King (1950) | 65 mph | 53 mph | 37 miles |
| Easy (1950) | 86 mph | 70 mph | 13 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1949 | 83 mph | 68 mph | 4 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1947 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1947 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 109 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1946 | 85 mph | 69 mph | 36 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 79 mph | 64 mph | 13 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 67 mph | 55 mph | 56 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1944 | 98 mph | 80 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1941 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 83 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1939 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 8 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1937 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 34 miles |
| 1935 Labor Day hurricane | 78 mph | 63 mph | 76 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 70 mph | 57 mph | 3 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 106 mph | 86 mph | 7 miles |
| 1926 Miami hurricane | 65 mph | 53 mph | 90 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1926 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 93 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1921 | 99 mph | 80 mph | 34 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1910 | 75 mph | 61 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1903 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 50 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1896 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 96 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 77 mph | 62 mph | 21 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 48 mph | 39 mph | 117 miles |
| 1893 Sea Islands hurricane | 50 mph | 41 mph | 118 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1888 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 104 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1886 | 64 mph | 52 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 74 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 67 mph | 55 mph | 28 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 79 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 93 mph | 76 mph | 54 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 52 mph | 43 mph | 88 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1873 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 68 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1873 | 55 mph | 44 mph | 31 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1872 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 38 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 78 mph | 64 mph | 23 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1859 | 71 mph | 58 mph | 4 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1858 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 6 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1852 | 73 mph | 59 mph | 5 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
143 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 2.5 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
56 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 2 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Lakeland’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 |
|---|---|
| Sep 20, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Sep 19, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Sep 12, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
| Sep 10, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Sep 7, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 31, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
Storms in Lakeland
An NWS Tampa Bay study of 1980 to 2009 hail reports in 17 central Florida counties found hail 1 inch or larger most often from May through July, and hail over 2 inches only from February to May.1
Notable storms
- October 9, 2024Hurricane Milton brought gusts of 80 to 90 mph across Polk County, including 87 mph at Winter Haven Gilbert Airport before the instrument stopped reporting. Lakeland Linder International Airport recorded 8.93 inches of rain, its highest 1-day total in records back to 1948.2
- October 18, 2019A rain band from Tropical Storm Nestor produced an EF2 tornado that tracked about 11.5 miles through western Polk County near Lakeland. NWS and Civil Air Patrol surveys found roof damage to numerous homes and businesses and one home destroyed, and the tornado overturned a tractor-trailer on Interstate 4. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $10 million in property damage.3
- September 10, 2017Hurricane Irma brought a gust of 75 knots (86 mph) near Bartow, and Polk County Emergency Management counted 96 homes or businesses destroyed and 1,604 with major damage. An EF2 tornado with winds estimated at 115 mph snapped seven wooden power poles along Old Polk City Road near Lakeland. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $69 million in property damage in Polk County.4,5
- March 31, 2011An EF1 tornado struck the Lakeland airport during an aviation festival, damaging or destroying 50 planes, overturning several, and wrecking five campsites. NOAA's Storm Events Database says seven people were injured and lists $500,000 in property damage.6
- May 3, 2005A thunderstorm crossed southern and central Polk County and dropped 2.50-inch hail at Fort Meade.7
- March 30, 1996Hail up to 4.5 inches fell in Lake Wales in Polk County, which NWS Melbourne lists as tied for the largest hail on record in Florida. The Florida Climate Center puts damage to windows, roofs and cars there at $24 million.8,9
Warnings and alerts
Polk County's free Alert Polk service sends local alerts by email, phone or text, and NOAA Weather Radio serves Polk on 162.500 and 162.550 MHz.10
Sources
- 1. American Meteorological Society: Atmospheric precursors to central Florida's severe hail events (Paxton, Barron and Weis, NWS Tampa Bay Area)
- 2. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hurricane, Polk County, October 9, 2024
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Polk County, October 18, 2019
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hurricane, Polk County, September 10, 2017
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Polk County, September 10, 2017
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Polk County, March 31, 2011
- 7. NWS Tampa Bay: Hailstorms Rakes Portions of West Central Florida May 3rd and 4th
- 8. NWS Melbourne: East Central Florida Large Hail Event on May 21, 2020
- 9. Florida Climate Center: Thunderstorms
- 10. Polk County: Hurricane Preparedness
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Questions about hail in Lakeland
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Lakeland?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland on 0.6 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 0.1 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 20 hail days.
- When is hail season in Lakeland?
- June has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland, 7 since 2010, then July (5) and March (2).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Lakeland?
- 1.75 in, in 2024: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Lakeland?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Lakeland is from May 13, 2024, with hail up to 1.75 in reported 13.9 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.