Hail history for Ritchie County, WV

Ritchie County has 34 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 18 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on May 14, 2018.

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 34 since 1967

1″ or larger 18 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · May 14, 2018

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 Ritchie County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 34 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 15, 2025	0.75″	Penny
March 15, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
March 30, 2024	0.75″	Penny
June 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 3, 2023	0.75″	Penny
April 7, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
April 7, 2020	1.25″	Half dollar
May 14, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 7, 2020 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Damage to roof shingles and siding on Route 74 near the Ritchie/Tyler County line.

April 26, 2016 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail was mostly small, but a few large stones were the size of golf balls.

April 26, 2016 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail fell.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	0	1	10	9	6	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 Ritchie County

Has it ever hailed in Ritchie County?

Yes — 34 hail events have been recorded for Ritchie County, WV in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1967, including 18 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ritchie County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ritchie County, WV is March 15, 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 Ritchie County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on May 14, 2018. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.