How big does hail get around Knoxville?
Quarter-size hail is the most common report in the Knoxville area, but baseball-size stones have fallen three times since 2006, including in Knoxville itself during the April 27, 2011 outbreak.
Last reviewed against official sources. General information, not insurance or legal advice.
Hail is severe at one inch, about a quarter, under National Weather Service criteria. NOAA lists 270 hail reports in Knox, Blount, Sevier, Anderson and Loudon counties from 2006 through 2025: 217 were an inch or larger, 31 were golf ball size or larger, and three were 2.75 inches, the size of a baseball.
Reports by size, 2006 to 2025
Sizes and object names follow the Storm Prediction Center's hail size table. Counts are from NOAA's Storm Events Database for the five counties.
| Size | About the size of | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 inch | Penny | 33 |
| 7/8 inch | Nickel | 20 |
| 1 inch | Quarter | 149 |
| 1 1/4 inches | Half dollar | 17 |
| 1 1/2 inches | Ping pong ball | 20 |
| 1 3/4 inches | Golf ball | 25 |
| 2 inches | Hen egg | 3 |
| 2 3/4 inches | Baseball | 3 |
The largest stones
The three baseball-size reports came from Highland Park in Loudon County (June 7, 2008), Knoxville (April 27, 2011) and Gatlinburg (April 26, 2012). April 27, 2011 was also the busiest hail day in the record, with 14 reports, the same day the EF4 tornado crossed Blount County. 2025 was an unusually active year, with 44 reports, including 13 on April 10.
What each size can do here
- Penny to nickel: dents in gutters, downspouts and heat pump fins; little effect on a sound roof.
- Quarter: the most common size here. Older shingles may bruise, and painted metal cabin roofs can show dents that insurers may treat as cosmetic.
- Golf ball and up: cracked shingles and slate, broken skylights, punctured siding, damaged vehicles. Roof replacements become common.
See checking an East Tennessee roof for hail.
Hail season
April has the most reports (72), followed by May (64) and June (46). Hail is rare from November through January.
Reporting hail
Measure the largest stone across its longest side, photograph it with a ruler or coin, and report it to NWS Morristown, which covers all five counties. Your own dated photos count for your claim even if there's no official report nearby.
Gaps in the record
Hail reports depend on people. Knox County has the most reports of the five counties (93) partly because more people live there to see and report hail, while hail over the national park or remote ridges may never be recorded. If hail fell at your house but the record shows nothing nearby, your own dated photos and measurements still count.
Recent hail reports in the area
| When | Type | Where | Report notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail 1.00" hail | 1 W Maryville Blount County | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). | |
| Hail 1.00" hail | 2 WNW Clinton Anderson County | Two separate Facebook reports of large hail in Clinton... no ruler or measurement but both look to be at least quarter sized. |
Frequently asked questions
What's the biggest hail recorded near Knoxville?
Baseball size, 2.75 inches, reported three times from 2006 through 2025: Highland Park in Loudon County, Knoxville and Gatlinburg.
When is hail season in East Tennessee?
Mostly April through June, with April the peak.
Are dents in my metal roof covered?
It depends on the policy. Some exclude cosmetic damage to metal roofs. Check for a cosmetic exclusion endorsement.
Policies vary. Check your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about anything that affects your claim. Laws and rules can change; this page reflects official sources as of October 29, 2026. KnoxvilleRoof.com is not a contractor, insurer, adjuster or law firm.
Find local help
Roofing contractors serving Knoxville and East Tennessee · Ask for storm help · Counties and towns