Hail history for Essex County, VA

Essex County has 23 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 10 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on June 3, 2009.

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 23 since 1990

1″ or larger 10 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · June 3, 2009

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 Essex County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 23 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 16, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 16, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 3, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
May 22, 2014	1.25″	Half dollar
February 21, 2014	1.0″	Quarter
February 21, 2014	1.0″	Quarter
June 3, 2009	1.75″	Golf ball
August 15, 2008	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

June 16, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported.

May 22, 2014 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Half dollar size hail was reported near Millers Tavern.

June 3, 2009 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	7	10	4	2

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 Essex County

Has it ever hailed in Essex County?

Yes — 23 hail events have been recorded for Essex County, VA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1990, including 10 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Essex County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Essex County, VA is June 16, 2023, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Essex County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on June 3, 2009. 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 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.