Hail history in Washington, DC
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Washington on 2.3 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 2.2 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Washington on 37 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 2.75 in, in 2016. 36 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. August has the most hail days, 10 since 2010. The most recent was May 16, 2025. NOAA also recorded high wind on 246 days, with gusts up to 96 mph.
Ranks #46 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 37
- Largest hail
- 2.75 in
- Highest gust
- 96 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
37 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 2.75 in
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Hail days by year
Bar chart of hail days per year, 2010 to 2026. 37 hail days in total; the most was 5 in 2011.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 8, Jun 9, Jul 3, Aug 10, Sep 1, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2025 | 1.25 in | 7.4 mi |
| Apr 15, 2024 | 1.5 in | 2.3 mi |
| Sep 7, 2023 | 1.0 in | 8.9 mi |
| May 16, 2022 | 1.25 in | 7.8 mi |
| Aug 13, 2021 | 1.75 in | 14.9 mi |
| Jul 26, 2021 | 1.25 in | 10.3 mi |
| Jul 1, 2021 | 1.0 in | 9.8 mi |
| Aug 28, 2020 | 1.75 in | 8.3 mi |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 1.0 in | 7.9 mi |
| Jun 22, 2020 | 1.0 in | 14.8 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Washington, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
246 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 96 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 3, 2026 | 71 mph | 0.5 mi |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Not recorded | 5.3 mi |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Not recorded | 4.1 mi |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Not recorded | 13.5 mi |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 58 mph | 3.2 mi |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Not recorded | 7.5 mi |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.1 mi |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Not recorded | 9.0 mi |
| Jun 22, 2026 | Not recorded | 0.4 mi |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Not recorded | 12.7 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Washington, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- Wind speed is the highest reported gust; some reports have no speed.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
Gusts, tornadoes and hurricanes in Washington
Estimated peak gusts
No day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Washington.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Feb 16, 2025 | 50 mph or more |
Estimates: the highest gust of each storm day in NOAA’s hourly 2.5 km wind analysis (URMA), which fills in between weather stations. Analyses like this smooth out short thunderstorm gusts, so they are best for widespread wind (hurricanes, winter storms, high wind days); for thunderstorm wind, NOAA’s wind reports are the better record. Not a measurement at any building.
Tornadoes within 10 miles
NOAA recorded 27 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Washington since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF0 | 0.97 miles | 1.1 miles |
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF1 | 4.33 miles | 1.4 miles |
| Jul 23, 2018 | EF0 | 0.21 miles | 10 miles |
| Jun 19, 2017 | EF0 | 0.22 miles | 8.5 miles |
| Apr 6, 2017 | EF0 | 1.56 miles | 3.9 miles |
| Apr 6, 2017 | EF0 | 4.91 miles | 0.5 miles |
| Oct 15, 2014 | EF0 | 2.32 miles | 7.3 miles |
| Jun 1, 2012 | EF0 | 0.9 miles | 9.6 miles |
Show all 27Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF0 | 0.39 miles | 9 miles |
| Jun 4, 2008 | EF0 | 0.32 miles | 8.9 miles |
| May 8, 2008 | EF0 | 0.48 miles | 7.3 miles |
| May 8, 2008 | EF0 | 0.54 miles | 9.7 miles |
| Apr 20, 2008 | EF1 | 0.32 miles | 4.4 miles |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 17.5 miles | 2.7 miles |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF1 | 14 miles | 0.8 miles |
| May 25, 1997 | EF0 | 1 miles | 6.2 miles |
| Oct 5, 1995 | EF2 | 2.5 miles | 6.8 miles |
| May 18, 1995 | EF1 | 0.3 miles | 6.3 miles |
| May 18, 1995 | EF0 | 0.5 miles | 2.5 miles |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF1 | 6 miles | 9.4 miles |
| Sep 27, 1993 | EF1 | 0.2 miles | 6.8 miles |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF1 | 1 miles | 6.3 miles |
| Aug 4, 1992 | EF1 | 2 miles | 9.9 miles |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF1 | 1 miles | 8.9 miles |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 17.9 miles | 7.6 miles |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 9.8 miles | 8.6 miles |
| Sep 12, 1971 | EF2 | 3 miles | 7.5 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
12 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Washington.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy (2012) | 60 mph | 48 mph | 75 miles |
| Connie (1955) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 25 miles |
| Hazel (1954) | 85 mph | 69 mph | 28 miles |
| Able (1952) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 30 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1949 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 45 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 61 mph | 50 mph | 9 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 53 mph | 43 mph | 39 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1896 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 85 miles |
Show all 12Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 72 mph | 59 mph | 57 miles |
| 1893 Sea Islands hurricane | 58 mph | 47 mph | 22 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 83 mph | 68 mph | 10 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1876 | 65 mph | 52 mph | 26 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
56 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 2.75 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
26 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 1 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Washington’s center.
Biggest radar hail days
- 0.75 in+
- 1.0 in+
- 1.5 in+
- 2.0 in+
- 2.5 in+
- 3.0 in+
Most recent radar hail days
| Date | Largest radar estimate |
|---|---|
| Sep 3, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
| Sep 2, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 7, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
Storms in Washington
July averages the most thunderstorm days in Washington, about 7, and June is second with 6.1 The NWS Baltimore/Washington office says the Mid-Atlantic region averages a derecho about once every 2 to 4 years.2
Notable storms
- May 16, 2025A line of storms crossed the Washington area that evening, and Reagan National Airport measured a gust of 60 knots (69 mph). Hundreds of trees blew down along the George Washington Memorial Parkway near Morningside Lane, and falling trees killed two drivers in Fairfax County.3,4,5
- July 29, 2023Afternoon thunderstorms brought a gust of 73 knots (84 mph) at George Washington University's Mount Vernon Campus. Thousands of trees, branches and power lines fell from Palisades to DuPont Circle, several apartment buildings lost their roofs, and two people were injured. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $25 million in property damage in the District.6,7
- May 2, 20162.75-inch hail, about the size of a baseball, fell near Rockville, the largest hail the NWS says has been recorded in Montgomery County, Maryland.8,9
- June 29, 2012A derecho hit the Washington area late on the evening of June 29, 2012, with a 70 mph gust at Reagan National Airport and 71 mph at Dulles. Media reports cited by the NWS put about 1.2 million customers in the DC metro region without power.2
- June 22, 2012Downbursts struck a line from Bethesda to Bladensburg, including northern sections of Washington, and a 64 mph gust was measured near the National Arboretum. The NWS confirmed a downburst with winds of 90 to 100 mph just south of Bladensburg, Maryland.10
Warnings and alerts
AlertDC is the District's official emergency notification system, and severe weather is one of the alert types it sends by email, text message and app.11
Sources
- 1. Washington-Baltimore Climate Review, hosted by the National Weather Service: Preferred Thunderstorm patterns over the DC-Baltimore area
- 2. NWS Baltimore/Washington: The Derecho of June 29, 2012
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Arlington County, May 16, 2025
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Fairfax County, May 16, 2025
- 5. FFXnow: Two people killed by trees falling on cars in Fairfax County
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, District of Columbia, July 29, 2023
- 7. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, District of Columbia (National Arboretum), July 29, 2023
- 8. WTOP News: Montgomery Co.'s largest-ever hail fell on Monday
- 9. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Montgomery County, May 2, 2016
- 10. NWS Baltimore/Washington: June 22, 2012 Severe Weather & Downbursts in D.C.
- 11. DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency: AlertDC
Free hail history
See the hail history near your property.
Enter a street address to see every day since 2010 with NOAA hail and wind reports within 10 miles.
Get a hail report for your whole portfolio.
Send us your properties and we’ll pull the NOAA hail history for every address. Then Cloudbreak watches each one, and you hear from us when a storm tracks toward it.
Questions about hail in Washington
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Washington?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Washington on 2.3 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 2.2 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 37 hail days.
- When is hail season in Washington?
- August has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Washington, 10 since 2010, then June (9) and May (8).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Washington?
- 2.75 in, in 2016: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Washington since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Washington?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Washington is from May 16, 2025, with hail up to 1.25 in reported 7.4 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.