Hail history for McDowell County, WV

McDowell County has 67 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 34 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 9, 1980.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 67 since 1977

1″ or larger 34 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 9, 1980

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 McDowell County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 67 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 16, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball
June 16, 2019	2.0″	Hen egg
May 5, 2018	0.88″	Nickel
March 17, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
May 2, 2016	1.75″	Golf ball
May 2, 2016	2.0″	Hen egg

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

From the storm reports

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

March 17, 2018 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch hail reported by a resident on Cucumber Creek Road.

May 2, 2016 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

The largest hail was bigger than a golf ball.

May 2, 2016 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Quarter to golf ball size hail fell.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	3	9	26	28	0

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 McDowell County

Has it ever hailed in McDowell County?

Yes — 67 hail events have been recorded for McDowell County, WV in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1977, including 34 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McDowell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McDowell County, WV is June 16, 2019, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 McDowell County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 9, 1980. 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.