Hail history for Albemarle County, VA

Albemarle County has 82 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 67 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 4, 2002.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 82 since 1968

1″ or larger 67 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 4, 2002

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 Albemarle County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 82 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 15, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 15, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 7, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 7, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 7, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball
June 26, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 25, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 15, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported west of Shady Grove.

August 7, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball size hail was reported in Earlysville.

June 4, 2002 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Solfball sized hail fell.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	1	2	6	20	37	15

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 Albemarle County

Has it ever hailed in Albemarle County?

Yes — 82 hail events have been recorded for Albemarle County, VA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 67 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Albemarle County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Albemarle County, VA is May 15, 2025, 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 Albemarle County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 4, 2002. 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 Virginia hail history

All 133 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.