HailHistory › Hail by county › Washington › Franklin County

Washington · county FIPS 53021

Hail history for Franklin County, WA

Franklin County has 5 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 1 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on July 16, 1955.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 2.75″ baseball July 16, 1955

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 5 since 1955
1″ or larger 1 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · July 16, 1955
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.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 5 of 5 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
0.75″ Penny
0.75″ Penny
0.75″ Penny
0.75″ Penny
2.75″ Baseball

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

From the storm reports

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

· 0.75″ (penny)

Wind and hail destroyed up to 50 percent of this year's apple crop at Broetje Farms.

· 0.75″ (penny)

Hail from this storm severely damaged thousands of acres of crops in Pasco. Some of the hardest hit crops were tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, green beans, and peppers.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
10000310

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 Franklin County

Has it ever hailed in Franklin County?

Yes — 5 hail events have been recorded for Franklin County, WA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 1 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Franklin County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Franklin County, WA is July 20, 2012, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Franklin County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on July 16, 1955. 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 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.