Hail history in Virginia Beach, VA
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach on 1.1 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 1.1 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach on 20 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 1.75 in, in 2017. 19 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. May has the most hail days, 7 since 2010. The most recent was July 27, 2025. NOAA also recorded high wind on 100 days, with gusts up to 81 mph.
Ranks #99 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 20
- Largest hail
- 1.75 in
- Highest gust
- 81 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
20 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 1.75 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. 20 hail days in total; the most was 3 in 2010.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 1, Apr 3, May 7, Jun 3, Jul 5, Aug 1, Sep 0, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2025 | 1.0 in | 7.4 mi |
| May 31, 2025 | 1.0 in | 7.3 mi |
| May 22, 2025 | 1.5 in | 2.7 mi |
| May 26, 2024 | 1.0 in | 13.0 mi |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 1.0 in | 7.9 mi |
| Jun 25, 2023 | 1.0 in | 9.7 mi |
| Jun 16, 2023 | 1.0 in | 9.1 mi |
| Apr 26, 2020 | 1.0 in | 9.3 mi |
| Apr 26, 2019 | 1.0 in | 6.1 mi |
| Mar 31, 2017 | 1.75 in | 7.8 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Virginia Beach, 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.
100 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 81 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 | Not recorded | 11.1 mi |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 67 mph | 10.3 mi |
| Jul 6, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.5 mi |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.8 mi |
| Jun 12, 2026 | 62 mph | 10.3 mi |
| Jun 10, 2026 | 62 mph | 10.3 mi |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 58 mph | 12.9 mi |
| Jun 19, 2025 | 58 mph | 12.7 mi |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 58 mph | 14.4 mi |
| May 9, 2025 | 58 mph | 2.7 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach
Estimated peak gusts
No day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Virginia Beach.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Jan 9, 2024 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 30, 2022 | 50 mph or more |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 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 17 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Virginia Beach since 1950; the strongest was rated EF3.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 4.5 miles | 7.8 miles |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 8.86 miles | 3.2 miles |
| Jul 10, 2014 | EF0 | 0.34 miles | 5.3 miles |
| Jul 3, 2014 | EF0 | 0.31 miles | 7.3 miles |
| Aug 27, 2011 | EF0 | 0.14 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Jul 14, 2005 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 0.1 miles |
| Aug 8, 2003 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 4.2 miles |
| Jul 24, 2000 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 8.9 miles |
Show all 17Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF1 | 1.5 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Aug 3, 1988 | EF2 | 0.2 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Jul 4, 1981 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Oct 2, 1977 | EF1 | 0.3 miles | 6.6 miles |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 5.6 miles |
| Apr 30, 1968 | EF1 | 22.5 miles | 3.5 miles |
| Oct 25, 1967 | EF1 | 2 miles | 5.9 miles |
| Apr 8, 1962 | EF1 | 11.5 miles | 4.3 miles |
| Oct 9, 1959 | EF2 | 1 miles | 3.4 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
66 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Virginia Beach.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophelia (2023) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 86 miles |
| Elsa (2021) | 50 mph | 40 mph | 56 miles |
| Isaias (2020) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 63 miles |
| Dorian (2019) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 105 miles |
| Michael (2018) | 60 mph | 48 mph | 14 miles |
| Sandy (2012) | 65 mph | 53 mph | 178 miles |
| Irene (2011) | 76 mph | 62 mph | 19 miles |
| Charley (2004) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 3 miles |
Show all 66Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isabel (2003) | 70 mph | 57 mph | 81 miles |
| Floyd (1999) | 64 mph | 52 mph | 5 miles |
| Bonnie (1998) | 73 mph | 60 mph | 61 miles |
| Bertha (1996) | 69 mph | 56 mph | 47 miles |
| Emily (1993) | 79 mph | 65 mph | 89 miles |
| Danielle (1992) | 51 mph | 42 mph | 37 miles |
| Bob (1991) | 68 mph | 55 mph | 87 miles |
| Charley (1986) | 71 mph | 58 mph | 20 miles |
| Gloria (1985) | 61 mph | 49 mph | 52 miles |
| Belle (1976) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 102 miles |
| Doria (1971) | 61 mph | 50 mph | 11 miles |
| Doria (1967) | 63 mph | 52 mph | 16 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 69 mph | 56 mph | 36 miles |
| Brenda (1960) | 57 mph | 46 mph | 30 miles |
| Helene (1958) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 133 miles |
| Daisy (1958) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 123 miles |
| Ione (1955) | 68 mph | 55 mph | 22 miles |
| Connie (1955) | 82 mph | 67 mph | 6 miles |
| Hazel (1954) | 59 mph | 48 mph | 112 miles |
| Edna (1954) | 49 mph | 40 mph | 135 miles |
| Carol (1954) | 52 mph | 42 mph | 96 miles |
| Barbara (1953) | 80 mph | 65 mph | 22 miles |
| 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane | 68 mph | 55 mph | 67 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1936 | 72 mph | 59 mph | 68 miles |
| 1935 Labor Day hurricane | 63 mph | 51 mph | 16 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 81 mph | 66 mph | 71 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 84 mph | 68 mph | 12 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 60 mph | 49 mph | 70 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1925 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 40 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1924 | 68 mph | 55 mph | 23 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1924 | 57 mph | 47 mph | 101 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1918 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1913 | 51 mph | 41 mph | 145 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1904 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 56 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1903 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 83 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1901 | 78 mph | 64 mph | 53 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1899 | 95 mph | 77 mph | 38 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1897 | 64 mph | 52 mph | 37 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 77 mph | 63 mph | 40 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 128 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 50 mph | 40 mph | 112 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 52 mph | 42 mph | 22 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1887 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 125 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1881 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 9 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 48 mph | 39 mph | 56 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1879 | 86 mph | 70 mph | 19 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 99 mph | 80 mph | 57 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1877 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 64 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1876 | 67 mph | 55 mph | 70 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 56 mph | 45 mph | 47 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1867 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 110 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1861 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 42 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1861 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 13 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1859 | 57 mph | 47 mph | 56 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1858 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 94 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1857 | 52 mph | 43 mph | 36 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1856 | 52 mph | 42 mph | 2 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
53 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 1.75 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
24 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 0 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Virginia Beach’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 4, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 22, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 27, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 1.25 in or more |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 1.25 in or more |
Storms in Virginia Beach
Most tropical cyclones that affect Virginia track near its lower coast: Cape Henry had sustained hurricane-force winds 12 times in the 128 years ending in 1998, and its 150 mph gust on September 14, 1944, tops NOAA's list of Virginia hurricane gusts.1 Within 124 nautical miles of the Wakefield radar, a range that takes in Virginia Beach, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center puts the primary severe thunderstorm season at April 19 to September 1.2
Notable storms
- April 30, 2023On April 30, 2023, a tornado formed over the eastern branch of the Lynnhaven River, reached EF2 strength in the Chelsea neighborhood and EF3 on Haversham Close, where several homes were shifted off their foundations. The City of Virginia Beach counted about 115 homes damaged and 11 destroyed, and NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $20 million in property damage.3
- July 26, 2022On July 26, 2022, winds estimated at 90 to 95 mph, likely from a gustnado, flipped five helicopters onto their sides near Norfolk Naval Air Station. NOAA's storm records list about $50 million in property damage in the area.4
- April 6, 2017On April 6, 2017, straight-line winds of around 80 mph damaged 20 homes in Sandbridge along Sandpiper and Sandfiddler Roads.5
- March 31, 2017On March 31, 2017, an EF2 tornado tracked about 4.2 miles across Virginia Beach from Stumpy Lake to near Buckner Boulevard. Near Rock Lake Loop it widened to 350 yards with winds up to 110 mph and damaged about 100 homes, and 1.75-inch hail fell near Lake Christopher. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists $4 million in property damage.6,7
- July 10, 2014On July 10, 2014, a 70 mph microburst near Norfolk and Mediterranean Avenues blew off a church steeple and overturned a car, and a downburst felled large trees near Princess Anne Country Club. NOAA's storm records list about $355,000 in property damage in the area.8,9
Warnings and alerts
The National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Virginia, issues severe thunderstorm warnings for Virginia Beach.10,8 VBAlert, the city's official emergency alert system, sends free notices by text, email or phone, including severe weather watches and warnings.11
Sources
- 1. NOAA Weather Prediction Center: Virginia Hurricane Climatology
- 2. NOAA Storm Prediction Center: AKQ Severe Weather Climatology
- 3. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Virginia Beach, April 30, 2023
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk, July 26, 2022
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Virginia Beach, April 6, 2017
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Virginia Beach, March 31, 2017
- 7. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Virginia Beach, March 31, 2017
- 8. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Virginia Beach, July 10, 2014
- 9. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Thunderstorm Wind, Virginia Beach, July 10, 2014
- 10. NWS Wakefield: NWS Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
- 11. City of Virginia Beach: VBAlert: Sign Up for Virginia Beach Emergency Notifications
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Questions about hail in Virginia Beach
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Virginia Beach?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach on 1.1 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 1.1 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 20 hail days.
- When is hail season in Virginia Beach?
- May has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach, 7 since 2010, then July (5) and April (3).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Virginia Beach?
- 1.75 in, in 2017: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Virginia Beach?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Virginia Beach is from July 27, 2025, with hail up to 1.0 in reported 7.4 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.