Hail history for Washington County, AL

Washington County has 90 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 48 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 17, 1998.

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 90 since 1957

1″ or larger 48 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 17, 1998

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 Washington County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 90 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 3, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 13, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 13, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 17, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
January 12, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 30, 2017	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).

January 21, 2017 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported in Copeland.

April 15, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golfball size hail reported near Sunflower.

May 2, 2003 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Golfball to Tennis Ball sized hail fell between Chatom and Wagarville. Numerous automobiles and roofs were damaged by the large hail. Two automobile dealerships in Chatom sustained major damage to their automobile inventory.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	3	11	22	33	13	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 — 90 hail events have been recorded for Washington County, AL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 48 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Washington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Washington County, AL is May 3, 2025, 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 April 17, 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 Alabama hail history

All 67 Alabama 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.