Hail history for Welch, West Virginia
NOAA hail reports in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Welch since 1980, with preliminary reports to November 3, 2026.
Readout · Welch
- Last hail
- May 5, 2018
- 0.88 in, nickel size
- Hail days, last 5 years
- 0
- since Nov 3, 2021 · 0 reports
- Largest ever
- 4.50 in
- softball · Jul 9, 1980
20 reports on 12 days since 1980 · #13 of 72 West Virginia places
Hail map · Welch
- Under 1 in
- 1–1.75 in
- 1.75–2.5 in
- 2.5–4 in
- 4 in +
- No size
For homeowners
Roof damage after hail? Get a free inspection
Hail bruises shingles and cracks seals in ways you can't see from the ground, and most insurers set a claim deadline after the storm. The latest hail report in Welch is from May 5, 2018. A local roofer can check and document it at no cost.
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What the record says about Welch
The latest hail report in and around Welch is from May 5, 2018, 0.88 in (nickel size). There has been no hail report here in the five years since November 3, 2021.
Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Welch logged 14 reports on 7 hail days, about 0.7 reports a year. That is 56% more than the median West Virginia town on this site (0.5 a year) and ranks #13 of 72 West Virginia cities and towns on this site for all-time reports. Welch accounts for 30% of the 67 reports filed in McDowell County.
10% of reports with a size were 2 inches (hen egg) or larger, against 0% for the median West Virginia town on this site. The largest hail on record here is 4.50 in (softball) on July 9, 1980, which ties or sets the West Virginia record.
Reports were down 44% in 2016–2025 (5) compared with 2006–2015 (9). The busiest year was 2008, with 6 reports on 2 days. Hail here peaks in May (40% of reports); 65% fall between April and June.
Reports a year 2006–2025 average
- Welch 0.7
- McDowell County 2.5
- Median West Virginia town on this site 0.5
Hail days 2006–2025
- Welch 7
- McDowell County 27
- Median West Virginia town on this site 7
Share 2 in or larger of sized reports
- Welch 10%
- McDowell County 9%
- Median West Virginia town on this site 0%
Hail over time
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2017 | 0 |
Largest hail on record
| Date | Size | Location | County | Damage | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 1980 | 4.50 insoftball | — | Mcdowell | — | 17:00 local · NCEI |
| Jul 9, 1980 | 4.50 insoftball | — | Mcdowell | — | 17:00 local · NCEI |
| May 2, 2016 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 2.24 NE Capels | Mcdowell | $50K | 15:29 local · NCEI |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 1.00 inquarter | 1.1 W Havaco | Mcdowell | — | 13:47 local · NCEI |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.88 NE Havaco | Mcdowell | — | 13:47 local · NCEI |
Sizes filed before 1996 are often rough estimates (round numbers like 7.00 or 8.00 in) without an exact spot; they are shown as NOAA filed them.
Size of every report
- Under 1 in 10 50%
- 1–2 in 8 40%
- 2 in + 2 10%
Most recent reports
| Date | Size | Location | County | Damage | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2018 | 0.88 innickel | 2.59 ENE Capels | Mcdowell | — | 16:28 local · NCEI |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 1.00 inquarter | 1.1 W Havaco | Mcdowell | — | 13:47 local · NCEI |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.88 NE Havaco | Mcdowell | — | 13:47 local · NCEI |
| May 2, 2016 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 2.24 NE Capels | Mcdowell | $50K | 15:29 local · NCEI |
| May 2, 2016 | 1.00 inquarter | Premier | Mcdowell | — | 15:12 local · NCEI |
| Jun 22, 2008 | 0.88 innickel | Welch | Mcdowell | — | 17:37 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2008 | 0.88 innickel | Welch | Mcdowell | — | 14:15 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2008 | 0.88 innickel | Welch | Mcdowell | — | 14:10 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2008 | 1.00 inquarter | Premier | Mcdowell | — | 14:08 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2008 | 0.75 inpenny | Welch | Mcdowell | — | 14:06 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2008 | 1.00 inquarter | Premier | Mcdowell | — | 13:57 local · NCEI |
| Jun 29, 2006 | 0.88 innickel | Welch | Mcdowell | — | 15:15 local · NCEI |
Hail history near Welch
- Pineville 18 km · 18
- Oceana 30 km · 18
- Bluefield 38 km · 12
- Bolt 40 km · 12
- Princeton 44 km · 21
- Beckley 54 km · 35
- Shady Spring 54 km · 12
- Red Jacket 54 km · 10
Questions about hail in Welch
How often does it hail in Welch, West Virginia?
20 hail reports have been logged in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Welch since 1980. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 0.7 reports a year. That ranks #13 of 72 West Virginia places by number of reports.
When is hail season in Welch?
Most reports come in May, June, July. May alone accounts for 40% of all reports.
What is the largest hail recorded in Welch?
4.50 in (softball size) on July 9, 1980. 10% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.
When did it last hail in Welch?
The most recent report in this data is from May 5, 2018 (0.88 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 3, 2026.
How many hail storms has Welch had in the last five years?
None: there has been no hail report in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Welch since November 3, 2021. The last one was on May 5, 2018.
Where does this hail data come from?
Hail reports come from the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, which the National Weather Service compiles from spotter, public, law enforcement and media reports. Recent days use preliminary NWS Local Storm Reports via the Iowa Environmental Mesonet until NOAA publishes final data. Only reported hail is counted, so areas with fewer people tend to have fewer reports.