Hail history in Wilmington, NC
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington on 1.6 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 1.4 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington on 27 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 1.75 in, in 2011. 23 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. May has the most hail days, 8 since 2010. The most recent was June 24, 2024. NOAA also recorded high wind on 53 days, with gusts up to 90 mph.
Ranks #77 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 27
- Largest hail
- 1.75 in
- Highest gust
- 90 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
27 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. 27 hail days in total; the most was 6 in 2011.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 1, Feb 0, Mar 1, Apr 1, May 8, Jun 8, Jul 5, Aug 0, Sep 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 1.0 in | 8.7 mi |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1.0 in | 13.1 mi |
| Apr 30, 2023 | 0.75 in | 11.3 mi |
| Jun 15, 2021 | 1.0 in | 3.5 mi |
| May 7, 2021 | 1.5 in | 7.0 mi |
| Sep 9, 2019 | 1.0 in | 2.9 mi |
| Jul 3, 2019 | 1.0 in | 8.3 mi |
| Jun 2, 2019 | 1.0 in | 8.5 mi |
| May 31, 2019 | 1.0 in | 14.6 mi |
| Jul 12, 2018 | 1.0 in | 4.9 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Wilmington, 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.
53 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 90 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Not recorded | 13.1 mi |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Not recorded | 6.0 mi |
| Jun 19, 2026 | Not recorded | 9.6 mi |
| May 28, 2026 | 59 mph | 5.3 mi |
| May 11, 2026 | Not recorded | 3.2 mi |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Not recorded | 2.1 mi |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 61 mph | 5.3 mi |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 58 mph | 4.2 mi |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 58 mph | 2.0 mi |
| Sep 14, 2024 | 59 mph | 4.9 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Wilmington, 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 Wilmington
Estimated peak gusts
1 day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Wilmington.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2024 | 50 mph or more |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 50 mph or more |
| Dec 17, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
| Aug 7, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
| Mar 12, 2022 | 58 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 37 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Wilmington since 1950; the strongest was rated EF2.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2025 | EF0 | 1.68 miles | 4 miles |
| Aug 30, 2023 | EF1 | 1.54 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Aug 30, 2023 | EF1 | 0.25 miles | 6.4 miles |
| Sep 17, 2020 | EF0 | 0.15 miles | 1.7 miles |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF1 | 1.48 miles | 5.5 miles |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF1 | 2.59 miles | 7.4 miles |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF1 | 2.86 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Sep 4, 2019 | EF0 | 0.38 miles | 7.2 miles |
Show all 37Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2019 | EF0 | 0.31 miles | 4.6 miles |
| Sep 4, 2019 | EF0 | 2.47 miles | 1.2 miles |
| Dec 20, 2018 | EF0 | 0.33 miles | 2.3 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF0 | 0.17 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF1 | 4.45 miles | 6.3 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF1 | 2.92 miles | 1 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 7 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF0 | 1.3 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF0 | 0.22 miles | 8.4 miles |
| Sep 15, 2018 | EF1 | 0.6 miles | 6.3 miles |
| May 5, 2016 | EF1 | 1.8 miles | 4.8 miles |
| Dec 24, 2014 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 7.3 miles |
| May 11, 2008 | EF0 | 0.15 miles | 9 miles |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 7 miles |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF0 | 2 miles | 3.7 miles |
| Jun 19, 1998 | EF1 | 2 miles | 2.9 miles |
| Jun 13, 1998 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.8 miles |
| May 23, 1998 | EF1 | 1.5 miles | 2.9 miles |
| May 7, 1998 | EF1 | 2 miles | 2.9 miles |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 2.9 miles |
| Jul 19, 1997 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 9.8 miles |
| Oct 7, 1996 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 3.3 miles |
| Jul 16, 1991 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 1.7 miles |
| May 13, 1978 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 5.7 miles |
| May 13, 1978 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Jul 31, 1972 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Jun 12, 1962 | EF2 | 0.1 miles | 9 miles |
| Jun 12, 1958 | EF1 | 1 miles | 2.1 miles |
| Jun 23, 1954 | EF1 | 2 miles | 6.1 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
93 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Wilmington.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophelia (2023) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 45 miles |
| Idalia (2023) | 51 mph | 42 mph | 41 miles |
| Ian (2022) | 55 mph | 44 mph | 80 miles |
| Elsa (2021) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 107 miles |
| Claudette (2021) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 79 miles |
| Isaias (2020) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 28 miles |
| Dorian (2019) | 84 mph | 68 mph | 42 miles |
| Florence (2018) | 98 mph | 80 mph | 4 miles |
Show all 93Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew (2016) | 62 mph | 51 mph | 30 miles |
| Hermine (2016) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 13 miles |
| Arthur (2014) | 60 mph | 49 mph | 36 miles |
| Irene (2011) | 63 mph | 51 mph | 69 miles |
| Hanna (2008) | 64 mph | 52 mph | 38 miles |
| Andrea (2007) | 57 mph | 46 mph | 238 miles |
| Ernesto (2006) | 63 mph | 51 mph | 9 miles |
| Ophelia (2005) | 76 mph | 62 mph | 31 miles |
| Charley (2004) | 71 mph | 58 mph | 22 miles |
| Isabel (2003) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 105 miles |
| Irene (1999) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 61 miles |
| Floyd (1999) | 105 mph | 85 mph | 7 miles |
| Dennis (1999) | 63 mph | 51 mph | 80 miles |
| Earl (1998) | 52 mph | 42 mph | 58 miles |
| Bonnie (1998) | 117 mph | 95 mph | 11 miles |
| Josephine (1996) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 29 miles |
| Fran (1996) | 115 mph | 94 mph | 15 miles |
| Bertha (1996) | 97 mph | 79 mph | 3 miles |
| Emily (1993) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 155 miles |
| Hugo (1989) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 144 miles |
| Charley (1986) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 65 miles |
| Diana (1984) | 141 mph | 115 mph | 21 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1982 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 19 miles |
| Ginger (1971) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 45 miles |
| Alma (1966) | 51 mph | 41 mph | 63 miles |
| Dora (1964) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 4 miles |
| Ginny (1963) | 57 mph | 46 mph | 80 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 95 mph | 77 mph | 17 miles |
| Brenda (1960) | 62 mph | 51 mph | 10 miles |
| Helene (1958) | 137 mph | 111 mph | 27 miles |
| Flossy (1956) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 35 miles |
| Ione (1955) | 77 mph | 62 mph | 73 miles |
| Diane (1955) | 68 mph | 55 mph | 6 miles |
| Connie (1955) | 81 mph | 66 mph | 61 miles |
| Hazel (1954) | 125 mph | 101 mph | 38 miles |
| Carol (1954) | 68 mph | 56 mph | 82 miles |
| Barbara (1953) | 56 mph | 45 mph | 92 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1949 | 52 mph | 42 mph | 96 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1946 | 49 mph | 39 mph | 10 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 35 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1944 | 64 mph | 52 mph | 18 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 148 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1930 | 58 mph | 47 mph | 82 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 69 mph | 56 mph | 43 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1925 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 46 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1924 | 67 mph | 55 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1920 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 34 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1918 | 61 mph | 49 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1916 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 20 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1916 | 51 mph | 42 mph | 125 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1913 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 56 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1913 | 68 mph | 55 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1910 | 56 mph | 45 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1908 | 77 mph | 63 mph | 27 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1908 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 74 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1906 | 65 mph | 53 mph | 89 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1904 | 55 mph | 44 mph | 87 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 97 mph | 79 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 55 mph | 45 mph | 125 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1897 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 50 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1896 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 112 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 70 mph | 57 mph | 34 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 66 mph | 53 mph | 4 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 73 mph | 60 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 55 mph | 45 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1888 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 5 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 69 mph | 56 mph | 93 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 73 mph | 59 mph | 79 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1885 | 85 mph | 69 mph | 11 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1883 | 107 mph | 87 mph | 31 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1882 | 66 mph | 54 mph | 36 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1881 | 104 mph | 85 mph | 11 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 18 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 73 mph | 59 mph | 39 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1876 | 72 mph | 58 mph | 14 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 76 mph | 61 mph | 44 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1872 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 9 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1863 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 29 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1861 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1861 | 48 mph | 39 mph | 24 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1858 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 103 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1857 | 107 mph | 87 mph | 7 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1856 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 31 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1852 | 56 mph | 45 mph | 27 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
38 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.
17 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 1 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Wilmington’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 24, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 23, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 22, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 21, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
| Aug 15, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
Storms in Wilmington
NWS Wilmington says local hailstorms peak in April, May and June, over half of reports of golf ball size hail or larger have come in May, and damaging thunderstorm winds peak in summer.1
Notable storms
- August 3, 2020Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach late on August 3, 2020, and Wilmington's airport measured a gust of 64 knots (74 mph). Surge up the Cape Fear River set a record water level at the Wilmington gauge, flooding downtown streets and damaging some first-floor businesses.2
- September 14, 2018On September 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence brought a 105 mph gust to Wilmington International Airport, second only to Hurricane Helene's 135 mph gust in 1958. Gusts of 75 to 105 mph caused widespread damage to roofs, trees and power lines across the Wilmington area.3
- March 8, 2005On March 8, 2005, the Wilmington weather station measured an 89 mph thunderstorm gust, and part of the city hall roof downtown was damaged. NOAA's storm records list about $150,000 in property damage in the area.4
- May 31, 2003On May 31, 2003, a microburst with estimated 100 mph gusts damaged nearly 100 homes in the Brittany Woods subdivision, about 7 miles northeast of Wilmington. NOAA's storm records list about $750,000 in property damage in the area.5
- September 5, 1996Hurricane Fran made landfall near Southport on the evening of September 5, 1996, with 115 mph winds. Gusts reached 86 mph at Wilmington's airport and 105 mph at the State Port office on the Cape Fear River, and New Hanover County officials estimated Fran left four times as much debris as Hurricane Bertha did that July.3
- October 15, 1954Hurricane Hazel came ashore near the North Carolina and South Carolina line on October 15, 1954. Wilmington measured a 98 mph gust, NWS Wilmington says Hazel likely flooded Water Street along the Cape Fear River nearly 3 feet deep, and a newspaper account it cites says most waterfront cottages at Wrightsville Beach washed away.3
Warnings and alerts
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington issues the city's warnings.6,5 New Hanover County's free ReadyNHC text alerts include severe weather updates, and residents sign up by texting READYNHC to 24639.7
Sources
- 1. NWS Wilmington: 2026 Spring Climate Outlook for southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina
- 2. National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Isaias
- 3. NWS Wilmington: Top 20 Storms in Wilmington, North Carolina's History
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, New Hanover County, March 8, 2005
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, New Hanover County, May 31, 2003
- 6. NWS Wilmington: A Severe Weather Climatology for the Wilmington, NC WFO County Warning Area
- 7. New Hanover County: Emergency Alerts
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 Wilmington
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Wilmington?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington on 1.6 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 1.4 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 27 hail days.
- When is hail season in Wilmington?
- May has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington, 8 since 2010, then June (8) and July (5).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Wilmington?
- 1.75 in, in 2011: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Wilmington?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Wilmington is from June 24, 2024, with hail up to 1.0 in reported 8.7 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.