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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in May 1981

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in May 1981 from May 1, 1981 through May 31, 1981, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Pick any date to see hail, wind and tornado public reports for that day — e.g. September 18, 2026.
Hail Reports
401
Wind Reports
268
Tornado Reports
204
Max Hail Size
4.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · May 1981 · 1981–present Updated  Daily · last May 31, 1981

NWS Hail Reports in May 1981

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1981
4:10 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Conway County · 6,899 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
2.00″ hail
May 31, 1981
4:05 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Yell County · 6,668 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1981
3:32 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Yell County · 6,668 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
1.50″ hail
May 31, 1981
1:00 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Cherokee County · 13,822 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, NC
1.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
6:40 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Daviess County · 32,497 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, KY
1.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
6:05 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Lubbock County · 89,558 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, TX
2.00″ hail
May 30, 1981
5:55 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Cross County · 5,382 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
1.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
5:39 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Union County · 4,531 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, KY
2.00″ hail
May 30, 1981
4:30 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
White County · 21,864 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
1.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
3:05 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Mississippi County · 13,155 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
1.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
2:45 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Poinsett County · 7,815 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, AR
0.75″ hail
May 30, 1981
1:30 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Anderson County · 25,123 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, TN
1.75″ hail
May 29, 1981
11:00 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Tom Green County · 37,285 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, TX
1.75″ hail
May 29, 1981
8:50 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Reeves County · 3,768 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, TX
1.75″ hail
May 29, 1981
8:40 PM CST
Hail report for May 1981
Moore County · 5,516 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, TX
Showing 15 of 30
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

NWS Wind Reports in May 1981

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
9:10 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Beaufort County · 16,077 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, NC
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
6:15 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Greenville County · 157,677 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, SC
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
5:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Halifax County · 15,556 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, NC
58 mph
May 31, 1981
5:00 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Shelby County · 268,453 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, TN
58 mph
May 31, 1981
4:50 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Crittenden County · 15,125 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, AR
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
4:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Clarke County · 27,933 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, GA
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
4:00 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Lexington County · 91,782 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, SC
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
3:55 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Prairie County · 2,967 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, AR
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
2:35 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Bartow County · 33,683 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, GA
UNK mph
May 31, 1981
12:00 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Marshall County · 31,801 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, AL
UNK mph
May 30, 1981
11:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Bolivar County · 9,820 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, MS
UNK mph
May 30, 1981
8:40 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Ohio County · 6,949 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, KY
UNK mph
May 30, 1981
8:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Muhlenberg County · 10,133 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, KY
63 mph
May 30, 1981
8:07 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Jackson County · 4,145 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, TN
UNK mph
May 30, 1981
7:33 PM CST
Wind report for May 1981
Casey County · 5,371 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, KY
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

NWS Tornado Reports in May 1981

30 reports
F0 category
May 31, 1981
4:38 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Conway County · 6,899 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, AR
F1 category
May 31, 1981
4:10 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Weld County · 91,444 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CO
F1 category
May 31, 1981
4:03 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Weld County · 91,444 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CO
F1 category
May 31, 1981
11:45 AM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Matagorda County · 13,306 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, TX
F1 category
May 29, 1981
7:30 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Montague County · 7,881 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, TX
F0 category
May 29, 1981
5:15 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Bee County · 7,476 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, TX
F1 category
May 28, 1981
7:00 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Kiowa County · 4,003 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, OK
F1 category
May 28, 1981
4:48 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Denver County · 145,266 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CO
F1 category
May 28, 1981
3:45 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Muskogee County · 21,901 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, OK
F2 category
May 28, 1981
3:00 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Fergus County · 4,512 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MT
F0 category
May 28, 1981
2:58 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Broward County · 347,737 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, FL
F0 category
May 28, 1981
2:14 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Hockley County · 6,902 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, TX
F2 category
May 27, 1981
8:00 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Florence County · 38,360 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, SC
F0 category
May 27, 1981
6:40 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Knox County · 141,465 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, TN
F0 category
May 27, 1981
1:00 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1981
Peoria County · 61,309 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IL
Showing 15 of 30
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in May 1981 on the Interactive Map

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Browse NWS Storm Reports by Day in May 1981

May 31, 1981 18
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 30, 1981 30
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 29, 1981 35
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 28, 1981 32
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 27, 1981 12
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 26, 1981 26
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 25, 1981 6
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 24, 1981 32
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 23, 1981 79
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 22, 1981 45
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 21, 1981 2
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 20, 1981 6
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 19, 1981 5
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 18, 1981 95
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 17, 1981 44
Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in May 1981? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many storm reports were recorded in May 1981?

Our records show 401 hail, 268 wind, and 204 tornado reports in May 1981, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 31, 1981.

What was the largest hail reported in May 1981?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in May 1981 is 4.50″, reported near Eden, TX.

Some reports show UNK instead of a wind speed or tornado rating — what does that mean?

Wind reports come three ways: measured from an instrument, estimated from the damage observed, or UNK when no speed was recorded. Tornadoes show UNK until the National Weather Service finishes a damage survey and assigns an EF rating. UNK simply means that value was not available when the report was filed.

A report appeared near my home in May 1981 — is my roof damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report shows that hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby, not that any specific home was hit. To find out whether your property was affected, check an address-level hail report, and if it looks significant, ask a local pro about a Remote Hail Inspection before scheduling roof work.

I am buying or selling a home — how do these in May 1981 reports help?

If a storm passed through, a roof or exterior may have damage that is hard to see, or a recent repair may trace back to it. Buyers can ask better questions before closing, and sellers can document the home condition up front — both starting from the property address rather than a whole region.

How do I check what happened at a specific address in May 1981?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in May 1981 across the United States, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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