Hail history for Salem city, VA

Salem city has 22 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 13 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on September 28, 2019.

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 22 since 1978

1″ or larger 13 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · September 28, 2019

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 Salem city

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 22 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 28, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball
August 1, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
April 15, 2017	0.88″	Nickel
April 20, 2015	0.75″	Penny
August 1, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
September 2, 2011	1.0″	Quarter
September 2, 2011	1.0″	Quarter
June 11, 2011	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Salem city.

From the storm reports

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

August 1, 2012 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The Salem Fire Department observed quarter-sized hail on Electric Road, which is approximately four miles west-northwest of Roanoke. A car dealership in Salem reported $1,500 to $2,200 dollars damage to each of their 300 cars from the large hail.

September 2, 2011 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail covered the ground.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	1	3	9	8	0

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 Salem city

Has it ever hailed in Salem city?

Yes — 22 hail events have been recorded for Salem city, VA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1978, including 13 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Salem city?

The most recent recorded hail event for Salem city, VA is September 28, 2019, 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 Salem city?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on September 28, 2019. 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.