Hail history in Lake Charles, LA
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles on 1.9 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 1.7 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles on 32 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 3.0 in, in 2019. 26 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. May has the most hail days, 11 since 2010. The most recent was March 8, 2025. NOAA also recorded high wind on 77 days, with gusts up to 100 mph.
Ranks #65 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 32
- Largest hail
- 3.0 in
- Highest gust
- 100 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
32 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. 32 hail days in total; the most was 4 in 2010.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 2, Feb 1, Mar 5, Apr 4, May 11, Jun 7, Jul 0, Aug 1, Sep 0, Oct 0, Nov 1, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 8, 2025 | 1.25 in | 4.6 mi |
| May 28, 2024 | 1.0 in | 12.6 mi |
| May 12, 2024 | 1.75 in | 10.5 mi |
| Mar 5, 2024 | 1.25 in | 7.4 mi |
| Jan 8, 2024 | 2.0 in | 3.4 mi |
| Jun 23, 2023 | 1.75 in | 1.0 mi |
| Jun 22, 2023 | 1.0 in | 3.7 mi |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 1.25 in | 3.6 mi |
| Apr 14, 2021 | 1.0 in | 10.3 mi |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 1.25 in | 10.5 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Lake Charles, 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.
77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 59 mph | 3.9 mi |
| May 19, 2026 | Not recorded | 1.7 mi |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Not recorded | 7.6 mi |
| Feb 14, 2026 | 72 mph | 2.3 mi |
| Oct 25, 2025 | 58 mph | 1.5 mi |
| Sep 17, 2025 | 58 mph | 10.5 mi |
| Jul 30, 2025 | 59 mph | 4.8 mi |
| Jul 24, 2025 | 63 mph | 2.8 mi |
| May 26, 2025 | 61 mph | 4.8 mi |
| Mar 30, 2025 | 58 mph | 1.0 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles
Estimated peak gusts
1 day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Lake Charles.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Jul 10, 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 54 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Lake Charles since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2026 | Not rated | 2.4 miles | |
| Feb 14, 2026 | Not rated | 9.8 miles | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | EF0 | 2.07 miles | 6.1 miles |
| Jun 27, 2024 | EF0 | 0.11 miles | 5.1 miles |
| May 13, 2024 | EF1 | 6.47 miles | 1.7 miles |
| May 13, 2024 | EF2 | 3.44 miles | 6 miles |
| Apr 9, 2024 | EF1 | 0.83 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Apr 9, 2024 | EF1 | 0.13 miles | 0.6 miles |
Show all 54Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2024 | EF2 | 1.05 miles | 1.1 miles |
| Aug 26, 2022 | EF0 | 0.25 miles | 4.7 miles |
| Oct 27, 2021 | EF1 | 0.92 miles | 2.1 miles |
| Oct 27, 2021 | EF2 | 2.2 miles | 3.5 miles |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 1.11 miles | 4.7 miles |
| Oct 31, 2018 | EF1 | 0.98 miles | 10 miles |
| Oct 31, 2018 | EF1 | 0.52 miles | 1.7 miles |
| Oct 31, 2018 | EF1 | 6.49 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Mar 28, 2018 | EF1 | 1.89 miles | 8.3 miles |
| Mar 24, 2016 | EF1 | 0.14 miles | 1.6 miles |
| Oct 31, 2013 | EF0 | 1.39 miles | 4.5 miles |
| Jul 20, 2012 | EF0 | 1.49 miles | 8.8 miles |
| Jul 20, 2012 | EF1 | 8.23 miles | 2.2 miles |
| Jan 25, 2012 | EF1 | 5.8 miles | 6.9 miles |
| May 14, 2009 | EF0 | 0.01 miles | 7 miles |
| Feb 21, 2008 | EF0 | 0.07 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Dec 30, 2002 | EF1 | 3 miles | 9.9 miles |
| Apr 2, 2000 | EF1 | 5 miles | 8.2 miles |
| Jan 6, 1999 | EF0 | 1 miles | 6.3 miles |
| Jan 1, 1999 | EF1 | 2.5 miles | 6.5 miles |
| Jan 1, 1999 | EF0 | 2.5 miles | 8.6 miles |
| Oct 6, 1998 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 5.5 miles |
| Jun 19, 1993 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 2.2 miles |
| Jun 26, 1992 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 3.9 miles |
| Jun 5, 1991 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 2.2 miles |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF1 | 1 miles | 9.7 miles |
| May 27, 1990 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Oct 26, 1988 | EF0 | 0.3 miles | 1.5 miles |
| Oct 26, 1988 | EF1 | 1 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 3.8 miles |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 3.6 miles |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF1 | 1 miles | 3.7 miles |
| May 20, 1983 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 7 miles |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF1 | 1 miles | 2.4 miles |
| Aug 26, 1980 | EF1 | 12.5 miles | 5.1 miles |
| Oct 22, 1979 | EF2 | 1 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Sep 19, 1977 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Apr 30, 1975 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 9.8 miles |
| May 31, 1974 | EF1 | 18.7 miles | 3.5 miles |
| Apr 17, 1973 | EF3 | 0.5 miles | 4.3 miles |
| Jul 11, 1972 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Feb 11, 1971 | EF3 | 3.6 miles | 1.6 miles |
| Apr 4, 1969 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 2.1 miles |
| Apr 27, 1962 | EF1 | 1 miles | 8.6 miles |
| Feb 17, 1960 | EF1 | 1 miles | 7.1 miles |
| Apr 27, 1957 | EF2 | 1 miles | 9.7 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
47 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Lake Charles.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta (2020) | 77 mph | 62 mph | 20 miles |
| Laura (2020) | 152 mph | 124 mph | 5 miles |
| Barry (2019) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 28 miles |
| Cindy (2017) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 32 miles |
| Ike (2008) | 79 mph | 64 mph | 107 miles |
| Humberto (2007) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 22 miles |
| Rita (2005) | 95 mph | 77 mph | 41 miles |
| Lili (2002) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 51 miles |
Show all 47Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georges (1998) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 253 miles |
| Andrew (1992) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 91 miles |
| Chantal (1989) | 57 mph | 46 mph | 81 miles |
| Bonnie (1986) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 68 miles |
| Juan (1985) | 70 mph | 57 mph | 55 miles |
| Danny (1985) | 69 mph | 56 mph | 33 miles |
| Alicia (1983) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 136 miles |
| Chris (1982) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 24 miles |
| Danielle (1980) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 56 miles |
| Debra (1978) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 13 miles |
| Carmen (1974) | 79 mph | 64 mph | 29 miles |
| Edith (1971) | 66 mph | 53 mph | 47 miles |
| Felice (1970) | 51 mph | 41 mph | 75 miles |
| Hilda (1964) | 64 mph | 52 mph | 108 miles |
| Bertha (1957) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 45 miles |
| Audrey (1957) | 114 mph | 93 mph | 23 miles |
| Barbara (1954) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 8 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1943 | 68 mph | 56 mph | 84 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1942 | 51 mph | 41 mph | 91 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1940 | 91 mph | 74 mph | 51 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1938 | 72 mph | 58 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1934 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 75 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1934 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 96 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1932 | 55 mph | 45 mph | 139 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1918 | 117 mph | 96 mph | 13 miles |
| 1915 Galveston hurricane | 63 mph | 51 mph | 133 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1909 | 55 mph | 44 mph | 104 miles |
| 1900 Galveston hurricane | 57 mph | 46 mph | 124 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1897 | 84 mph | 69 mph | 43 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1886 | 128 mph | 104 mph | 24 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1886 | 90 mph | 73 mph | 14 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1882 | 56 mph | 45 mph | 39 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 119 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 75 mph | 61 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1867 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 80 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1865 | 107 mph | 87 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1865 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 80 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1863 | 52 mph | 42 mph | 15 miles |
| 1856 Last Island hurricane | 64 mph | 52 mph | 79 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
82 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.
46 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 6 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Lake Charles’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 22, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Sep 21, 2026 | 1.5 in or more |
| Sep 11, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Jul 8, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
Storms in Lake Charles
An NWS Lake Charles study found that 67 percent of hail reports in the Lake Charles warning area from 1955 to 1995 came in March to May, with a smaller secondary rise in autumn.1
Notable storms
- January 8, 2024On January 8, 2024, 2-inch hail fell at the NWS Lake Charles office and from downtown Lake Charles to Sowela Community College.2,3
- October 27, 2021On October 27, 2021, an EF2 tornado with winds estimated at 130 mph moved east just south of Ham Reid Road, heavily damaging about a dozen homes and injuring 2 people. Minutes later an EF1 tornado crossed Industrial Avenue and I-210, injuring 1. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $2.5 million and $1 million in property damage from the two.4,5
- October 9, 2020Hurricane Delta made landfall near Creole as a Category 2 storm on October 9, 2020, and Lake Charles airport recorded a gust of 83 knots (96 mph). In southwest Louisiana, still recovering from Laura, Delta's winds blew away temporary roofs and scattered leftover debris piles from Laura.6
- August 27, 2020Hurricane Laura's eye and eyewall crossed the Lake Charles metro as a Category 4 storm, and a gauge at the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury building downtown measured a 137 mph gust before it failed. NOAA's NCEI estimated about $19 billion in damage in the United States, $17.5 billion of it in Louisiana.7,8
- May 9, 2019On May 9, 2019, a slow-moving storm dropped hail up to 3 inches in Carlyss, and stones up to 2.5 inches fell in Sulphur. NOAA's storm records list $10 million in property damage around Carlyss and $36 million around Sulphur.9,10
- September 24, 2005Hurricane Rita came ashore as a Category 3 storm just east of Sabine Pass early on September 24, 2005, and the NWS office in Lake Charles measured an 83-knot (96 mph) gust. Surge pushed up the Calcasieu River and reached Interstate 10 in places, and floodwater in downtown Lake Charles was as deep as about 6 feet.11
Warnings and alerts
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury sends severe weather and emergency alerts by text, call or email through its free Calcashout system.12
Sources
- 1. NWS Lake Charles: Severe Weather Climatology (1950-1995) for the NWSO Lake Charles Parish/County Warning Area
- 2. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Calcasieu Parish, January 8, 2024
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Calcasieu Parish, January 8, 2024
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Calcasieu Parish, October 27, 2021
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Calcasieu Parish, October 27, 2021
- 6. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Delta
- 7. NWS Lake Charles: Hurricane Laura 2020
- 8. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Laura
- 9. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Calcasieu Parish, May 9, 2019
- 10. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Calcasieu Parish, May 9, 2019
- 11. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Rita
- 12. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury: Calcashout
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 Lake Charles
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Lake Charles?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles on 1.9 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 1.7 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 32 hail days.
- When is hail season in Lake Charles?
- May has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles, 11 since 2010, then June (7) and March (5).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Lake Charles?
- 3.0 in, in 2019: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Lake Charles?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Lake Charles is from March 8, 2025, with hail up to 1.25 in reported 4.6 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.