Hail history in Charleston, SC
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Charleston on 3.2 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 2.3 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Charleston on 57 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 2.75 in, in 2011. 43 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. June has the most hail days, 12 since 2010. The most recent was September 6, 2026. NOAA also recorded high wind on 146 days, with gusts up to 96 mph.
Ranks #40 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 57
- Largest hail
- 2.75 in
- Highest gust
- 96 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
57 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 2.75 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. 57 hail days in total; the most was 5 in 2011.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 2, Feb 0, Mar 6, Apr 10, May 8, Jun 12, Jul 9, Aug 6, Sep 3, Oct 1, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 6, 2026 | 1.0 in | 14.9 mi |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 1.0 in | 9.1 mi |
| Mar 15, 2026 | 1.75 in | 13.1 mi |
| Jul 14, 2024 | 1.0 in | 4.4 mi |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 2.0 in | 13.8 mi |
| May 9, 2024 | 1.0 in | 11.0 mi |
| Jul 19, 2023 | 0.75 in | 11.0 mi |
| Jun 6, 2023 | 0.88 in | 9.2 mi |
| May 17, 2023 | 1.0 in | 4.1 mi |
| May 9, 2023 | 1.0 in | 6.0 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Charleston, 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.
146 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 96 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2026 | Not recorded | 3.8 mi |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Not recorded | 14.9 mi |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Not recorded | 5.8 mi |
| Aug 14, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.4 mi |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Not recorded | 3.7 mi |
| Jul 12, 2026 | Not recorded | 7.2 mi |
| Jul 11, 2026 | 70 mph | 2.3 mi |
| Jul 10, 2026 | 64 mph | 2.3 mi |
| Jul 5, 2026 | Not recorded | 3.1 mi |
| Jun 19, 2026 | Not recorded | 6.5 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Charleston, 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 Charleston
Estimated peak gusts
1 day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Charleston.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2026 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 30, 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 33 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Charleston since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2024 | EF0 | 2.02 miles | 7.4 miles |
| Aug 5, 2024 | EF0 | 3.84 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Sep 11, 2017 | EF0 | 0.57 miles | 7.9 miles |
| Sep 11, 2017 | EF0 | 0.12 miles | 7.8 miles |
| Sep 11, 2017 | EF0 | 1.46 miles | 6 miles |
| Sep 24, 2015 | EF2 | 6.85 miles | 7.9 miles |
| Jun 27, 2009 | EF0 | 0.25 miles | 6.6 miles |
| Jun 29, 2008 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 9.1 miles |
Show all 33Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2006 | EF0 | 1 miles | 3.6 miles |
| May 14, 2006 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Apr 8, 2006 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 3.3 miles |
| Apr 8, 2006 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 4.2 miles |
| Apr 8, 2006 | EF0 | 2.6 miles | 4 miles |
| May 29, 2005 | EF1 | 4 miles | 7.2 miles |
| Sep 28, 2002 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 6.9 miles |
| Jul 15, 2002 | EF0 | 0.6 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Mar 13, 1997 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 9.2 miles |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 8.8 miles |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF0 | 0.3 miles | 8.8 miles |
| Jun 27, 1982 | EF1 | 1 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Sep 4, 1979 | EF0 | 2 miles | 7.2 miles |
| Mar 8, 1976 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 4.7 miles |
| May 25, 1970 | EF1 | 0.5 miles | 3.3 miles |
| Sep 19, 1966 | EF1 | 1.2 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Sep 19, 1966 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 4.1 miles |
| Aug 6, 1966 | EF1 | 2 miles | 2.3 miles |
| Apr 13, 1966 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 7.8 miles |
| Jul 5, 1965 | EF1 | 0.4 miles | 5.2 miles |
| Aug 28, 1964 | EF2 | 1 miles | 4.7 miles |
| Apr 12, 1961 | EF1 | 2.5 miles | 6.9 miles |
| Sep 11, 1960 | EF3 | 8.8 miles | 2 miles |
| May 22, 1957 | EF0 | 2 miles | 6.2 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
68 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Charleston.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idalia (2023) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 15 miles |
| Ian (2022) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 48 miles |
| Dorian (2019) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 61 miles |
| Matthew (2016) | 72 mph | 59 mph | 16 miles |
| Hermine (2016) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 18 miles |
| Gaston (2004) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 25 miles |
| Charley (2004) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 28 miles |
| Irene (1999) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 71 miles |
Show all 68Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd (1999) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 87 miles |
| Dennis (1999) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 126 miles |
| Bonnie (1998) | 81 mph | 66 mph | 126 miles |
| Fran (1996) | 65 mph | 53 mph | 121 miles |
| Bertha (1996) | 56 mph | 46 mph | 98 miles |
| Hugo (1989) | 135 mph | 110 mph | 8 miles |
| Kate (1985) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 28 miles |
| Bob (1985) | 62 mph | 50 mph | 40 miles |
| Diana (1984) | 72 mph | 58 mph | 92 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1982 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 49 miles |
| David (1979) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 61 miles |
| Dora (1964) | 67 mph | 54 mph | 23 miles |
| Ginny (1963) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 72 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 67 mph | 54 mph | 73 miles |
| Brenda (1960) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 11 miles |
| Gracie (1959) | 137 mph | 112 mph | 34 miles |
| Cindy (1959) | 71 mph | 58 mph | 24 miles |
| Helene (1958) | 95 mph | 77 mph | 80 miles |
| Flossy (1956) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 44 miles |
| Hazel (1954) | 77 mph | 63 mph | 74 miles |
| Able (1952) | 92 mph | 75 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1947 | 71 mph | 58 mph | 79 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 63 mph | 52 mph | 32 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1944 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 48 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1940 | 93 mph | 76 mph | 54 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 80 mph | 65 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1927 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 30 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1924 | 64 mph | 52 mph | 37 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1916 | 109 mph | 89 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1913 | 70 mph | 57 mph | 28 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1911 | 94 mph | 76 mph | 53 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1910 | 61 mph | 50 mph | 13 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1906 | 69 mph | 56 mph | 62 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1906 | 69 mph | 56 mph | 47 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1904 | 58 mph | 47 mph | 49 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 85 mph | 69 mph | 61 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 138 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1898 | 70 mph | 57 mph | 70 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1896 | 95 mph | 77 mph | 46 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 65 mph | 52 mph | 22 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 88 mph | 72 mph | 22 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 109 mph | 89 mph | 21 miles |
| 1893 Sea Islands hurricane | 79 mph | 65 mph | 69 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 7 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 51 mph | 42 mph | 135 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 51 mph | 41 mph | 117 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1885 | 103 mph | 84 mph | 5 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1883 | 70 mph | 57 mph | 80 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1882 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 28 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1881 | 67 mph | 54 mph | 100 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 117 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 95 mph | 77 mph | 21 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 83 mph | 67 mph | 2 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 61 mph | 50 mph | 42 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1867 | 77 mph | 62 mph | 15 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1857 | 65 mph | 53 mph | 97 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1856 | 51 mph | 42 mph | 59 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1854 | 96 mph | 78 mph | 86 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1853 | 73 mph | 59 mph | 60 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1852 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 49 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
61 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 2.0 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
29 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 1 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Charleston’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 6, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 24, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 22, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 19, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 13, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
Storms in Charleston
A severe weather climatology by NWS Charleston, covering 1955 to 1993, found severe hail most likely in April and May.1 The same study found July the peak month for severe wind reports, with wet microbursts from summer thunderstorms the main summer threat.1 The State Climatology Office puts hail at about 0.5 days a year in the Lowcountry, compared with 1 to 1.5 days in the Midlands, Piedmont and Foothills.2
Notable storms
- June 10, 2024On the evening of June 10, 2024, a storm moving northeast left a long, wide swath of large hail and damaging wind across inland parts of the Charleston metro area. Hail of 1.75 to 2 inches damaged house siding in Ladson, and golf ball-size hail fell along Ladson Road.3,4
- September 30, 2022Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown, about 55 miles northeast of Charleston, on the afternoon of September 30, 2022, with sustained winds of 85 mph. Charleston International Airport recorded a 68 mph gust and 5.57 inches of rain in 24 hours.5,6,7
- June 26, 2013A storm dropped tennis ball-size hail, 2.5 inches, about a mile south of the Highway 61 and Bees Ferry Road intersection in West Ashley.8
- May 10, 2011Storms dropped baseball-size hail, 2.75 inches, on Isle of Palms. Quarter to golf ball-size hail elsewhere on the island broke car windows.9,10
- September 22, 1989Hurricane Hugo made landfall near Sullivan's Island at midnight as a Category 4 storm, with gusts to 108 mph measured in the city of Charleston. NWS Wilmington's summary says up to 80 percent of roofs in the city were damaged.11
- September 29, 1938On the morning of September 29, 1938, five tornadoes struck the Lowcountry, and two F2 tornadoes crossed the Charleston peninsula. NWS Charleston counts 32 deaths, 100 injuries, 196 buildings destroyed and about $2 million in damage at the time.12
Warnings and alerts
NWS Charleston, SC issues warnings for Charleston County.9,8 Charleston County's emergency notification system, CHSAlerts, formerly Citizen Alerts, sends severe weather notices to people who sign up, by text message, phone call or email.13
Sources
- 1. NWS Charleston: A Severe Weather Climatology for the Charleston, South Carolina, County Warning Area
- 2. South Carolina State Climatology Office: South Carolina Climate
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Berkeley County, June 10, 2024
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Dorchester County, June 10, 2024
- 5. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Ian Tropical Cyclone Update, September 30, 2022
- 6. NWS Charleston, SC: Peak Wind Gusts from Hurricane Ian
- 7. South Carolina State Climatology Office: Weekly Climate Summary, September 27 to October 2, 2022
- 8. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Charleston County, June 26, 2013
- 9. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Charleston County, May 10, 2011
- 10. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Charleston County, May 10, 2011
- 11. NWS Wilmington: Hurricane Hugo
- 12. NWS Charleston, SC: 1938 Charleston Area Tornadoes
- 13. Charleston County Government: As hurricane season peaks, Charleston County encourages residents to sign up for CHSAlerts
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Questions about hail in Charleston
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Charleston?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Charleston on 3.2 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 2.3 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 57 hail days.
- When is hail season in Charleston?
- June has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Charleston, 12 since 2010, then April (10) and July (9).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Charleston?
- 2.75 in, in 2011: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Charleston since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Charleston?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Charleston is from September 6, 2026, with hail up to 1.0 in reported 14.9 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.