Hail history for Benton County, WA

Benton County has 14 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 6 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.0″ (quarter) on May 28, 2019.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 14 since 1970

1″ or larger 6 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.0″ quarter · May 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 Benton County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 14 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 28, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
May 4, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
May 21, 2016	0.75″	Penny
June 29, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
July 14, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
August 8, 2008	0.75″	Penny
August 7, 2003	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

May 28, 2019 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A member of the public posted a video showing hail with a maximum size of 1 inch.

May 4, 2017 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Estimated 1.00 inch hail occurred at West Richland in Benton county. Report from social media via NBC Tri-Cities.

Events by decade

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

Has it ever hailed in Benton County?

Yes — 14 hail events have been recorded for Benton County, WA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1970, including 6 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Benton County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Benton County, WA is May 28, 2019, 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 Benton County?

1.0″ (quarter), recorded on May 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 Washington hail history

All 39 Washington 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.