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Hail history for Charleston, WV

Last hail within 10 milesMay 20, 20261.25 in (half dollar)

Hail days, last 12 months2

Largest hail since 20062.5 in (tennis ball)Oct 7, 2014

Hail days since 200641

Days with hail 1 inch or larger22

Tornadoes within 10 miles4

Damaging wind reports within 10 miles284

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Charleston on 41 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2.5 in (tennis ball) on Oct 7, 2014. Hail is most common here in June and July.

Charleston ranks #377 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Charleston

Date	Hail size	Where	Source
May 20, 2026	1.25 in half dollar	Pocatalico 1 hail report · closest 9 mi from Charleston	NOAA Storm Events
Apr 1, 2026	0.75 in penny	Spring Hill 1 hail report · closest 6 mi from Charleston	NOAA Storm Events
May 5, 2025	1 in quarter	Yeager Airport, Creed, Rutledge 6 hail reports · closest near the center of Charleston	NOAA Storm Events
Apr 14, 2025	1.75 in golf ball	Charleston, Fairview, West Charleston 9 hail reports · closest near the center of Charleston	NOAA Storm Events
Mar 16, 2025	0.75 in penny	South Ruffner 1 hail report · closest near the center of Charleston	NOAA Storm Events

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

Hail days near Charleston by year

When hail season peaks near Charleston

Of the 41 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (10) and July (10).

Largest hail storms near Charleston

Aug 30, 2006 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Charleston (2 mi from Charleston)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail, the size of golf balls to tennis balls, fell on the West Side hills of Charleston, then across the Knollwood and Mink Shoals vicinity, to Coonskin Park and Capital High School. The swath of hail then reached toward Crede and Big Chimney. This path narrowly missed the more densely populated Kanawha River Valley. Nevertheless, hundreds of homes and vehicles were damaged by hail. Some of the damaged vehicles had been traveling on Interstate 79 near Mink Shoals. The 2 largest insurance companies reported a total of 1600 claims, costing about 5 million dollars. The storm also contained torrential rains. A spotter between Big Chimney and Pinch recorded 2.7 inches of rain in less than 30 minu

Oct 7, 2014 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Ruth (5 mi from Charleston)

National Weather Service description (English): Elongated large hail briefly fell at the National Weather Service Office near Southridge. The largest hail was 2.5 inches long and about 0.75 inches wide.

Jun 22, 2008 · 2 in (hen egg) · Pocatalico (9 mi from Charleston)

National Weather Service description (English): The large hail also fell at the Edgewood Golf Course.

Jul 4, 2013 · 2 in (hen egg) · South Park (3 mi from Charleston)

Jun 16, 2008 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Pocatalico (9 mi from Charleston)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Charleston

Date	Rating	Where	Path
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	Hernshaw 8 mi from Charleston	5.1 mi long, 200 yd wide
Jun 24, 2019	EF1	Alumville 8 mi from Charleston	7.8 mi long, 350 yd wide
Jun 24, 2019	EF0	Yeager Airport 2 mi from Charleston	0.8 mi long, 75 yd wide
Jul 4, 2016	EF0	South Charleston 4 mi from Charleston	1.9 mi long, 100 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Charleston

284 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Charleston since 2006, on 135 days. The strongest measured gust was 85 mph on Feb 11, 2009.

Date	Strongest gust	Where	Source
Sep 21, 2026	60 mph, measured	Sissonville 1 wind report	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 16, 2026	damage reported	Institute, South Charleston, Charleston 5 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 11, 2026	damage reported	Institute, Sissonville, Charleston 7 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 8, 2026	damage reported	Sissonville 2 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 21, 2026	damage reported	Dunbar, Marmet 2 wind reports	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 9, 2026	damage reported	South Charleston 1 wind report	NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 22, 2026	52 mph, estimated	Barlow 1 wind report	NOAA Storm Events
Jun 18, 2026	58 mph, estimated	Spring Hill 1 wind report	NOAA Storm Events
Jun 14, 2026	52 mph, estimated	South Ruffner 1 wind report	NOAA Storm Events
Jun 12, 2026	58 mph, estimated	Ruth, Bunker Hill 2 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 Charleston; 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 Charleston.

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