Hail history for Kanawha County, WV

Kanawha County has 204 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 108 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on May 23, 2019.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

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.

Recorded events 204 since 1958

1″ or larger 108 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · May 23, 2019

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Kanawha County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Kanawha County's peak: June.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 204 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 1, 2026	0.75″	Penny
May 5, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 5, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 5, 2025	0.75″	Penny

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Kanawha County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

May 23, 2019 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Many cars were dented by the hail, but no significant building damage occurred.

October 7, 2014 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Elongated large hail briefly fell at the National Weather Service Office near Southridge. The largest hail was 2.5 inches long and about 0.75 inches wide.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	1	11	27	68	57	35

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 Kanawha County

Has it ever hailed in Kanawha County?

Yes — 204 hail events have been recorded for Kanawha County, WV in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 108 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Kanawha County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Kanawha County, WV is April 1, 2026, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Kanawha County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 23, 2019. 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 West Virginia hail history

All 55 West Virginia counties, ranked by recorded hail →

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.