Hail history for James City County, VA

James City County has 20 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 11 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on August 11, 1999.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month August

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 20 since 1957

1″ or larger 11 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · August 11, 1999

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 James City County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks James City County's peak: August.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 20 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
October 17, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
August 10, 2008	0.88″	Nickel
July 8, 2008	0.88″	Nickel
June 29, 2007	1.0″	Quarter
June 29, 2007	1.0″	Quarter
August 21, 2005	0.75″	Penny
May 15, 2005	0.75″	Penny
March 7, 2004	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

October 17, 2022 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported.

June 29, 2007 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail fell near Grove. The hail crushed grapes and damaged vines at the Williamsburg Winery.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	0	6	12	0	1

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 James City County

Has it ever hailed in James City County?

Yes — 20 hail events have been recorded for James City County, VA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 11 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in James City County?

The most recent recorded hail event for James City County, VA is October 17, 2022, 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 James City County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on August 11, 1999. 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.