Hail history in New Orleans, LA
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans on 0.7 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 0.7 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans on 16 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 2.5 in, in 2013. 15 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. April has the most hail days, 4 since 2010. The most recent was August 21, 2026. NOAA also recorded high wind on 61 days, with gusts up to 100 mph.
Ranks #133 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 16
- Largest hail
- 2.5 in
- Highest gust
- 100 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
16 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 2.5 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. 16 hail days in total; the most was 3 in 2011.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 4, May 3, Jun 3, Jul 0, Aug 1, Sep 0, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | 1.0 in | 12.7 mi |
| Apr 15, 2023 | 1.0 in | 10.2 mi |
| May 15, 2022 | 2.0 in | 12.8 mi |
| Mar 11, 2022 | 1.0 in | 14.9 mi |
| Jun 27, 2019 | 1.0 in | 14.1 mi |
| May 18, 2018 | 1.0 in | 13.3 mi |
| Feb 7, 2017 | 1.5 in | 2.3 mi |
| Jan 21, 2017 | 1.0 in | 5.1 mi |
| Apr 15, 2015 | 1.75 in | 2.5 mi |
| Apr 8, 2014 | 0.75 in | 8.5 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of New Orleans, 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.
61 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 21, 2026 | 68 mph | 2.9 mi |
| Jun 17, 2026 | 67 mph | 5.7 mi |
| May 9, 2026 | 71 mph | 5.2 mi |
| May 8, 2026 | Not recorded | 14.1 mi |
| Mar 15, 2026 | 60 mph | 5.8 mi |
| Feb 14, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.3 mi |
| Jul 30, 2025 | 60 mph | 14.5 mi |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 58 mph | 5.8 mi |
| May 7, 2025 | 70 mph | 5.8 mi |
| Feb 15, 2025 | 60 mph | 14.3 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of New Orleans, 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 New Orleans
Estimated peak gusts
No day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at New Orleans.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 11, 2024 | 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 New Orleans since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2026 | Not rated | 7.2 miles | |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 10.59 miles | 6.6 miles |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 11.47 miles | 2.3 miles |
| May 11, 2021 | EF0 | 5.32 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Jul 10, 2019 | EF1 | 0.4 miles | 9.3 miles |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF0 | 2.6 miles | 8.3 miles |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 10.09 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Aug 4, 2016 | EF0 | 0.54 miles | 9.6 miles |
Show all 23Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2012 | EF0 | 0.24 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Jul 6, 2010 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 8.9 miles |
| Feb 12, 2007 | EF2 | 1.29 miles | 6.3 miles |
| May 8, 1995 | EF2 | 0.8 miles | 8.1 miles |
| Apr 11, 1995 | EF1 | 0.3 miles | 5.7 miles |
| May 27, 1990 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 8.1 miles |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 2.3 miles | 9.9 miles |
| Dec 6, 1971 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 4.2 miles |
| May 17, 1969 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 8.4 miles |
| Oct 3, 1964 | EF2 | 14.2 miles | 5.4 miles |
| Jan 11, 1963 | EF1 | 15.7 miles | 8.9 miles |
| Jun 27, 1957 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 2.1 miles |
| Jul 17, 1953 | EF2 | 6.4 miles | 3.1 miles |
| Nov 1, 1951 | EF1 | 0.3 miles | 8.3 miles |
| Apr 24, 1950 | EF1 | 2 miles | 6.6 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
69 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to New Orleans.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francine (2024) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 34 miles |
| Ida (2021) | 70 mph | 57 mph | 41 miles |
| Zeta (2020) | 97 mph | 79 mph | 5 miles |
| Isaac (2012) | 72 mph | 58 mph | 55 miles |
| Lee (2011) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 39 miles |
| Gustav (2008) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 74 miles |
| Katrina (2005) | 116 mph | 95 mph | 20 miles |
| Cindy (2005) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 15 miles |
Show all 69Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan (2004) | 50 mph | 40 mph | 120 miles |
| Bill (2003) | 52 mph | 42 mph | 31 miles |
| Isidore (2002) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 4 miles |
| Georges (1998) | 115 mph | 94 mph | 66 miles |
| Earl (1998) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 140 miles |
| Danny (1997) | 70 mph | 57 mph | 50 miles |
| Opal (1995) | 76 mph | 62 mph | 152 miles |
| Andrew (1992) | 81 mph | 66 mph | 99 miles |
| Florence (1988) | 64 mph | 52 mph | 6 miles |
| Beryl (1988) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 3 miles |
| Juan (1985) | 50 mph | 40 mph | 67 miles |
| Elena (1985) | 79 mph | 64 mph | 43 miles |
| Frederic (1979) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 99 miles |
| Bob (1979) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 27 miles |
| Babe (1977) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 58 miles |
| Carmen (1974) | 62 mph | 50 mph | 107 miles |
| Camille (1969) | 105 mph | 85 mph | 36 miles |
| Betsy (1965) | 128 mph | 104 mph | 50 miles |
| Hilda (1964) | 80 mph | 65 mph | 41 miles |
| Ethel (1960) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 61 miles |
| Esther (1957) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 49 miles |
| Flossy (1956) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 73 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1956 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 40 miles |
| Brenda (1955) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 10 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1948 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 1 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1947 | 110 mph | 90 mph | 17 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1940 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 104 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1934 | 61 mph | 50 mph | 95 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1932 | 51 mph | 41 mph | 8 miles |
| 1926 Miami hurricane | 49 mph | 40 mph | 27 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1926 | 77 mph | 62 mph | 65 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1923 | 72 mph | 58 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1920 | 73 mph | 59 mph | 76 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1917 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 110 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1916 | 58 mph | 47 mph | 94 miles |
| 1915 New Orleans hurricane | 96 mph | 78 mph | 16 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1912 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 93 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1912 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1909 | 86 mph | 70 mph | 87 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1906 | 95 mph | 77 mph | 78 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1901 | 78 mph | 63 mph | 49 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1897 | 53 mph | 44 mph | 93 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1895 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 95 mph | 77 mph | 37 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 79 mph | 64 mph | 23 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1889 | 52 mph | 43 mph | 61 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1888 | 75 mph | 61 mph | 59 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 66 mph | 54 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1885 | 61 mph | 49 mph | 50 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 80 mph | 65 mph | 61 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1877 | 71 mph | 58 mph | 39 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1872 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 55 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1869 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 31 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1867 | 77 mph | 63 mph | 59 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1860 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 77 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1860 | 103 mph | 83 mph | 30 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1860 | 118 mph | 96 mph | 23 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1859 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 86 miles |
| 1856 Last Island hurricane | 65 mph | 53 mph | 91 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1855 | 123 mph | 100 mph | 30 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1852 | 72 mph | 59 mph | 80 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
113 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 3.5 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
53 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 6 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of New Orleans’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 |
|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 23, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 21, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Jul 30, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 20, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 10, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
Storms in New Orleans
NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge says spring is the main severe weather season in southeast Louisiana, and fall, especially November, is a secondary one.1
Notable storms
- March 22, 2022On March 22, 2022, an EF3 tornado with winds estimated at 160 mph tracked 11.5 miles from near Harvey across the West Bank, over the Mississippi River and through Arabi into New Orleans East. It killed 1 person and injured at least 2, and NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $30 million in property damage in St. Bernard Parish.2,3
- February 7, 2017On February 7, 2017, an EF3 tornado with winds estimated at 150 mph cut a 10.1-mile path across eastern New Orleans, from east of the Industrial Canal to Lake Borgne, injuring 33 people. NWS surveyors found moderate to severe damage to 638 homes and at least 40 businesses, and ping pong ball size hail fell in New Orleans East.4,5,6
- April 27, 2015Squall-line winds estimated at 92 mph blew eleven railcar shipping containers off a train on the Huey P. Long Bridge approach in Elmwood, and New Orleans Armstrong Airport measured a 70 mph gust.7,8
- March 29, 2011Winds estimated at 100 mph hit Gretna and Belle Chasse, and fifty power poles were snapped along Manhattan Boulevard.9,10,11
- August 29, 2005Hurricane Katrina's eye passed about 20 nautical miles east of downtown New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and a gauge in eastern New Orleans measured a 107-knot (123 mph) gust. Levees and floodwalls were overtopped or breached, including along the Industrial, London Avenue and 17th Street canals, and about 80 percent of the city flooded, up to about 20 feet deep.12
- January 23, 2000A rare hailstorm laid a long swath of hail from Metairie southeast across much of New Orleans to Chalmette, with dime to golf ball size stones that damaged roofs, windows and vehicles.13,14,15
Warnings and alerts
NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge in Slidell issues warnings for Orleans Parish, and the city's free NOLA Ready alerts (keyword NOLAREADY to 77295) relay its severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.1,16,15
Sources
- 1. NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge: Fall Severe Weather Awareness Page
- 2. NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge: March 22, 2022 Metro New Orleans Tornado
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, St. Bernard Parish, March 22, 2022
- 4. NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge: February 7, 2017 Eastern New Orleans, LA Tornado
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Orleans Parish, February 7, 2017
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Orleans Parish, February 7, 2017
- 7. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Parish, April 27, 2015
- 8. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Parish, April 27, 2015
- 9. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Parish, March 29, 2011
- 10. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Plaquemines Parish, March 29, 2011
- 11. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Parish, March 29, 2011
- 12. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina
- 13. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Jefferson Parish, January 23, 2000
- 14. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, St. Bernard Parish, January 23, 2000
- 15. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Orleans Parish, January 23, 2000
- 16. NOLA Ready, City of New Orleans: Emergency Alerts
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Questions about hail in New Orleans
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in New Orleans?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans on 0.7 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 0.7 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 16 hail days.
- When is hail season in New Orleans?
- April has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans, 4 since 2010, then May (3) and June (3).
- What is the largest hail recorded in New Orleans?
- 2.5 in, in 2013: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans since 2010.
- When did it last hail in New Orleans?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of New Orleans is from August 21, 2026, with hail up to 1.0 in reported 12.7 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.