Charleston, SC Hail Storm – July 2026

A hail-producing storm moved through the Charleston, SC metro on July 10, 2026, producing stones up to 1.39 inches and generating 33 NWS severe-weather alerts from mid-afternoon into late evening.

What Happened

The event began in mid-afternoon and continued into the early evening. NWS and spotter activity first registered hail reports around 3 PM as a line of cells crossed the area. At 3:00 PM EDT (19:00 UTC) NWS Charleston logged hail up to 0.50 inch. Local trained spotters and an emergency manager provided later on-the-ground observations as the line intensified.

An emergency manager reported 0.75-inch hail near the intersection of Rugheimer Avenue and Spurill Avenue at 4:25 PM EDT (20:25 UTC). A social-media post placed 0.50-inch hail on the 3800 block of West Montaque Avenue at 4:30 PM EDT (20:30 UTC). A trained spotter reported 0.50-inch hail on Primrose Avenue at about 4:20 PM EDT (20:20 UTC). A broadcast meteorologist noted 0.25-inch hail on Wando Park Blvd at 4:09 PM EDT (20:09 UTC).

NWS issued 33 distinct severe-weather alerts tied to this storm between 3:05 PM and 9:18 PM EDT, with polygon coverage shifting across the metro. Radar returns showed repeated hail signatures along the moving cells, with multiple warning-area updates between mid-afternoon and nightfall. Ground observations and radar detections occurred alongside the stream of NWS warning polygons as storms tracked northeast through the metro.

Damage Assessment

Local storm reports filed for this event primarily document small-to-moderate hail impacts at discrete addresses. The emergency manager entry at 4:25 PM EDT placed 0.75-inch hail at Rugheimer Avenue and Spurill Avenue. Spotter reports at Primrose Avenue and the 3800 block of West Montaque Avenue recorded 0.50-inch stones. A broadcast meteorologist and social posts documented smaller hail on Wando Park Blvd and other nearby streets.

No Local Storm Report in the supplied entries described widespread structural collapse or catastrophic failure. Observed impacts were concentrated on streets and residential areas where spotters reported pebble-to-dime-size accumulations and intermittent coverage. Vehicle panels and exposed rooftop shingles in the immediate vicinity of the Rugheimer Avenue and West Montaque Avenue reports are the most likely places to show visible effects.

Field observations and radar returns together indicate a corridor of repeated hail signatures through the central and northeastern portions of the Charleston metro during the late afternoon window. Damage reports in submitted entries remain limited to hail observations rather than documented structural losses.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections within the specific streets cited by spotters: Rugheimer Avenue, Spurill Avenue, the 3800 block of West Montaque Avenue, Primrose Avenue, and Wando Park Blvd. Begin with visual roof scans from the ground and take high-resolution photographs of shingles, vents, and HVAC housings. Photograph vehicle panels and outdoor equipment where accessible. Time-stamp and geo-tag photos where possible.