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Hail history for Salem, VA

Last hail within 10 milesJul 4, 20260.5 in (marble)

Hail days, last 12 months1

Largest hail since 20062 in (hen egg)Aug 1, 2019

Hail days since 200652

Days with hail 1 inch or larger35

Tornadoes within 10 miles2

Damaging wind reports within 10 miles229

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Salem on 52 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2 in (hen egg) on Aug 1, 2019. Hail is most common here in June and May.

Salem ranks #228 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Salem

Date	Hail size	Where	Source
Jul 4, 2026	0.5 in marble	Cave Spring 1 hail report · closest 3 mi from Salem	NWS storm report (preliminary)

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near Salem by year

When hail season peaks near Salem

Of the 52 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (13) and May (12).

Largest hail storms near Salem

Aug 1, 2019 · 2 in (hen egg) · Roanoke (3 mi from Salem)

National Weather Service description (English): Large and damaging hail up to two inches in diameter fell across portions of southwest Roanoke City, including Grandin Court. Some cars were damaged by the hail.

Aug 1, 2012 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Roanoke City (3 mi from Salem)

National Weather Service description (English): Numerous reports of quarter to golf ball-sized hail were received from trained spotters and the public across the city of Roanoke and surrounding areas just outside of the city on the northwest, west, and southwest sides. Quarter-sized hail was observed at the Glen Cove Elementary School northwest of Roanoke with golf ball-sized hail also observed nearby, quarter-sized hail was observed on Green Ridge Road northwest of Roanoke, golf ball-sized hail on Peters Creek Road near the Roanoke Woodrum Field Airport, and quarter-sized hail was observed on Pine Court Road southwest of Roanoke. These were the hail reports observed outside the independent City of Roanoke. Several hail reports were also

May 31, 2019 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Cave Spg (5 mi from Salem)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail the size of golf balls fell in Cave Spring. Hail up to the size of quarters also fell on Starkey Road about one mile southeast of Cave Spring and later on Falcon Ridge Road about three miles east-southeast of Cave Spring.

Sep 28, 2019 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Salem (C) (1 mi from Salem)

Apr 7, 2006 · 1.25 in (half dollar) · Salem (C) (1 mi from Salem)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Salem

Date	Rating	Where	Path
May 26, 2024	EF1	Salem (C) 2 mi from Salem	2.0 mi long, 300 yd wide
Jun 3, 2008	EF0	Roanoke 6 mi from Salem	1.6 mi long, 60 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Salem

229 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Salem since 2006, on 117 days. The strongest measured gust was 81 mph on Jun 29, 2012.

Date	Strongest gust	Where	Source
Aug 10, 2026	60 mph, measured	Roanoke Airport, Roanoke, Vinton 8 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 28, 2026	damage reported	Hollins 1 wind report	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 18, 2026	damage reported	Salem City, Cave Spring, Hollins 4 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 5, 2026	damage reported	Roanoke 1 wind report	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 4, 2026	damage reported	Salem City, Roanoke 2 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 12, 2026	58 mph, estimated	Salem (C), Woodrum Field Roa, Roanoke 4 wind reports	NOAA Storm Events
May 21, 2026	69 mph, estimated	Cave Spg 1 wind report	NOAA Storm Events
Jul 9, 2025	58 mph, estimated	Roanoke, Salem (C) 2 wind reports	NOAA Storm Events
Jul 1, 2025	58 mph, estimated	Woodrum Field Roa, Vinton 2 wind reports	NOAA Storm Events
Jun 28, 2025	72 mph, measured	Medley, Sunset Vlg 3 wind reports	NOAA Storm Events

Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.

Filing a roof or car hail claim?

Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near Salem; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.

Nearby cities

Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of Salem.

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