HailHistoryHail by countyArkansas › Washington County

Arkansas · county FIPS 05143

Hail history for Washington County, AR

Washington County has 433 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 222 of them 1″ or larger and 28 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.0″ (grapefruit) on May 4, 2020.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 5.0″ grapefruit May 4, 2020

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 433 since 1957
1″ or larger 222 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 28 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 5.0 grapefruit · May 4, 2020
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

10 Jan 12 Feb 65 Mar 121 Apr 92 May 50 Jun 23 Jul 28 Aug 11 Sep 12 Oct 6 Nov 3 Dec

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 433 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
1.75″ Golf ball
1.25″ Half dollar
1.75″ Golf ball
1.25″ Half dollar
2.5″ Tennis ball
1.75″ Golf ball
2.75″ Baseball

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).

· 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail damaged homes and vehicles.

· 5.0″ (grapefruit)

Hailstones were measured to five inches in diameter by a resident on Buckingham Drive. Hail damaged vehicles and homes in this area.

· 4.0″ (softball)

Grapefruit size hail damaged vehicles, homes, and businesses.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
26934921029989

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 — 433 hail events have been recorded for Washington County, AR in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 222 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Washington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Washington County, AR is April 28, 2026, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Washington County?

5.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 4, 2020. 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 Arkansas hail history

All 75 Arkansas 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.