HailHistory › Hail by county › Rhode Island › Washington County
Rhode Island · county FIPS 44009
Hail history for Washington County, RI
Washington County has 27 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 15 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on June 30, 1998.
Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.
When it hails in Washington County
Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Washington County's peak: July.
Most recent recorded events
| Date | Size | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 0.75″ | Penny | |
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter |
Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Washington County.
From the storm reports
Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).
· 1.25″ (half dollar)
In Richmond, quarter to half dollar sized hail fell.
· 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)
In Yarmouth 1.5 inch hail fell.
· 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)
In Narragansett 2 inch hail was reported, as was 1.75 inch hail. In Jamestown 1.5 inch hail was reported.
Events by decade
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.
Questions about hail in Washington County
Has it ever hailed in Washington County?
Yes — 27 hail events have been recorded for Washington County, RI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1995, including 15 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.
When did it last hail in Washington County?
The most recent recorded hail event for Washington County, RI is August 26, 2024, with 1.25″ (half dollar) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.
What is the largest hail ever recorded in Washington County?
2.75″ (baseball), recorded on June 30, 1998. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.
Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?
No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.
More Rhode Island hail history
- Providence County 63
- Kent County 31
- Newport County 13
- Bristol County 6
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.