Hail history for Putnam County, WV

Putnam County has 96 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 53 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.25″ (tea cup) on June 21, 2016.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 96 since 1983

1″ or larger 53 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.25″ tea cup · June 21, 2016

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 Putnam County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 96 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 14, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 14, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
April 14, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 14, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 14, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
April 14, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 14, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 14, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 3, 2019 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball sized hail damaged hundreds of cars in Teays Valley. A few dozen homes also received roof and siding damage.

June 21, 2016 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Windshields on vehicles were cracked and shattered by the large hail.

June 22, 2008 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

The was the third significant hail event in Paradise in 6 days.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	4	17	27	15	33

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 Putnam County

Has it ever hailed in Putnam County?

Yes — 96 hail events have been recorded for Putnam County, WV in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1983, including 53 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Putnam County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Putnam County, WV is April 14, 2025, 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 Putnam County?

3.25″ (tea cup), recorded on June 21, 2016. 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.