Largest hail ever recorded in history: location, size, and impacts [TOPLIST]

Have you ever wondered what the largest hail ever recorded looked like when crashing down from the sky? These icy giants have shattered windows, dented cars, and stunned scientists with their unbelievable size. In this article, we will find out the largest hailstones ever, and explain how experts verify these rare weather phenomena.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in the world?

Largest hail ever recorded

When people talk about the largest hail ever recorded, they often imagine stones the size of baseballs or grapefruits, yet some hail has grown even further beyond that.

Across Argentina, the United States, Libya, and Italy, storms have produced ice giants so massive they set world records and left behind staggering destruction.

Largest Hail by Diameter

Diameter is the most striking way to judge hail because it tells us how wide the stone was across its center.

Over the years, several storms have produced extraordinary hailstones that pushed the limits of what scientists thought possible:

Largest size hail ever recorded by diameter throughout the year, from 1970-2023

Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina 2018

• Time: February 8, 2018

• Place: The resort city of Villa Carlos Paz in Córdoba Province, Argentina

• Dimension: 7.4-9.3 inches (18.8-23.7 cm) in diameter.

On February 8, 2018, a violent supercell storm swept over the resort city of Villa Carlos Paz in Córdoba Province, Argentina, producing hailstones later described as gargantuan.

Video and field evidence studied by atmospheric scientists indicate individual stones reached 7.4-9.3 inches (18.8-23.7 cm) in diameter.

This size is large enough to smash windows, leave sizable craters where they struck soft ground, and inflict severe damage on vehicles and roofs. 

Researchers led by Matthew Kumjian used imagery and measurements to argue that some stones might rival or exceed previous world records.

Yet the event’s reliance on photo/video estimates, rather than preserved or weighed samples in a lab, leaves the “world-record” status cautiously framed as potential.

Hailstones in Córdoba, Argentina in 2018 reached 7.4-9.3 inches in diameter

Vivian, South Dakota 2010

• Time: July 23, 2010

• Place: Small town of Vivian, South Dakota

• Dimension: 8.0 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter

On July 23, 2010, the small town of Vivian, South Dakota became the site of one of the most famous hailstorms in US history.

A massive hailstone recovered there measured 8.0 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter, had a circumference of about 18.625 inches (47.3 cm), and weighed nearly 1.94 pounds (0.88 kg).

This storm was part of a powerful supercell that produced destructive straight-line winds and localized tornadoes.

Storm’s damage reports include shredded crop fields, dented vehicles, and widespread roof damage in several rural communities. 

Hailstone in South Dakota reached 8.0 inches across

Tripoli, Libya – Oct 27th, 2020

• Time: October 27, 2020

• Place: Tripoli, Libya

• Dimension: 6.5–8 inches (17–20 cm) in diameter

On October 27, 2020, a late-season supercell struck Tripoli, Libya, producing exceptionally large hailstones.

Photos and eyewitness reports suggested individual stones measured 6.5–8 inches (17–20 cm) in diameter.

The event was notable because giant hail is rare in North Africa’s capital.

This hail caused severe localized damage to vehicles, roofs, street infrastructure, and overwhelmed emergency responders in affected neighborhoods. 

Because many samples were not preserved for laboratory verification, the event is best characterized as exceptional and possibly record-challenging rather than definitively record-breaking.

Hailstone in Tripoli, Libya on Oct 27th, 2020

Azzano Decimo, Italy 2023

• Time: July 24, 2023

• Place: Azzano Decimo, Italy

• Dimension: About 7.5 inches (19 cm) in diameter

On July 24, 2023, northern Italy experienced an extraordinary hailstorm when a supercell struck Azzano Decimo.

One hailstone was officially measured at 19 cm (about 7.5 inches) in diameter, making it the largest ever recorded in Europe.

The European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) teams examined that stone and accepted it as a new European record. 

The storm damaged cars, broke windows, and led to substantial agricultural losses in local orchards and vineyards.

Hailstone in Azzano Decimo, Italy 2023

Largest Hail by Circumference

While diameter gives us a quick snapshot, circumference is also important because hailstones often form in irregular shapes.

Measuring around their widest path reveals just how massive they truly are.

The 2003 Aurora storm produced a hailstone that was not as wide as Vivian’s but still set the record for circumference at 18.75 inches (47.6 cm). 

Witnesses said the hail left deep holes in the ground, and that the hail ranged from the size of a baseball to as large as a volleyball.

Largest hail by circumference recorded in Aurora

Aurora’s hailstone is still important because measuring circumference shows its bulk and uneven shape more accurately than just diameter.

Meteorologists now often reference it when explaining how different ways of measuring can affect hail records.

Heaviest Hailstone Ever Recorded

The heaviest hailstone ever recorded fell on April 14, 1986, in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. 

Heaviest hailstone ever recorded weighed 2.2 pounds (~1.0 kg)

According to the World Meteorological Organization, this single hailstone weighed about 2.2 pounds (1.0 kg), roughly the size of a small melon. 

The storm that produced this gigantic hailstone caused severe damage across the region, with widespread impacts on homes, agriculture, and communities.

It remains one of the most destructive hail events ever documented, with dozens of lives lost.

Other contenders also deserve mention: on September 3, 1970, in Coffeyville, Kansas, a hailstone weighing about 1.67 pounds (0.76 kg) was recorded.

Although lighter than the Bangladesh record, it remains one of the heaviest documented hailstones in North America. 

The Coffeyville storm left behind severe property damage, dented vehicles, and shredded crops across southeastern Kansas.

Biggest hail accumulation on the ground

The biggest hail accumulation comes from Seldon, Kansas, on June 3, 1959, when a massive storm blanketed the landscape with hail up to 8 inches (20 cm) deep across an estimated 54 square miles (140 km²).

Residents described fields and roads buried under a solid layer of ice, resembling a winter blizzard in the middle of summer.

Such accumulation happens when a thunderstorm produces hailstones faster than they can melt or drain away.

In the case of Seldon, repeated waves of hail-laden cells passed over the same area, each adding another layer of ice.

This process, known as training convection, results in extreme build-ups that can paralyze entire communities.

Roads become impassable, drainage systems clog, and livestock or crops can be lost beneath the frozen weight.

Biggest hail accumulation on the ground

Although Seldon remains one of the most dramatic examples, other storms around the world have also produced hail drifts several feet high, particularly when strong winds pile the ice against walls, fences, or natural barriers. 

These accumulations can collapse roofs, flood homes when rapid melting begins, and even trigger localized flash floods as the ice releases large amounts of water in a short time.

Also read: Biggest hailstorm ever

How Scientists Measure and Verify Hail Records

Scientists cannot simply rely on photos or personal accounts when a hailstone breaks a record.

The measurement must follow a strict verification process to ensure accuracy and credibility to be officially recognized.

Therefore, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and national weather services oversee this procedure, using both physical evidence and eyewitness reports.

How scientists measure and verify hail records

The first step is collecting the hailstone quickly after it falls. Because hail begins to melt as soon as it hits the ground, timing is crucial.

Scientists or local officials often store the stone in a freezer to preserve its original size and shape. Without this preservation, any later measurement would be unreliable.

Once secured, researchers use standardized tools such as calipers and scales to record the stone’s diameter, circumference, and weight.

Photographs with clear scales, such as rulers placed beside the hailstone, are required to support the measurements.

For the largest stones, weight is particularly important, since mass gives a better sense of the storm’s energy than diameter alone.

Verification also involves checking for distortion. Many giant hailstones are irregular, with spikes or lobes formed by multiple layers of ice.

Scientists take several measurements from different angles to avoid exaggerating size. In some cases, they reconstruct the original hailstone by carefully refreezing fragments and piecing them together.

Finally, independent experts review the evidence before an official record is declared. This process may include comparing eyewitness accounts, storm radar data, and damage reports from the area. 

Hailstorms Safety Guide

Knowing about the largest hail ever recorded is exciting, but protecting yourself during a hailstorm matters even more.

With ice stones falling at high speeds, being prepared can help you avoid injuries and costly damage: 

• Seek shelter immediately

• Protect your head and body

• Stay away from windows

• Pull over safely when driving

• Protect your vehicle and property

• Monitor weather alerts

• Avoid flood-prone areas after the storm

• Prepare an emergency kit

Read our full guide on hail safety tips!

Hailstorms Safety Guide

Conclusion 

The largest hail ever recorded highlights the remarkable scale and impact of severe storms. From the devastating hail in Bangladesh to Argentina’s gargantuan ice stones, these records reveal how powerful weather can become. Studying them helps us understand storm behavior and improve safety measures.