Broadway, VA Hail Storm – August 2026

A hail storm tracked through Broadway, Virginia on August 27, 2026, producing 1.75-inch stones and triggering 21 NWS alerts from late afternoon into the evening. The event included a mix of NWS warning-only messages, radar-detected hail returns, and multiple spotter-verified observations.

What Happened

The first NWS warning for the system issued at 3:38 PM EDT and the alert stream continued through 9:09 PM EDT, totaling 21 alerts across the region. Early NWS warnings reported smaller hail; dual-polarization radar later detected elevated returns including 1.2-inch and 1.25-inch echoes in the 4:00–6:00 PM window. Spotters provided on-the-ground confirmation at multiple times and locations.

At 4:20 PM EDT a spotter reported quarter-sized hail in Timberville. Broadway observers reported dime-to-nickel hail at about 4:28 PM EDT. Two spotters on Tennessee Avenue documented half-dollar-sized hail at 5:20 PM EDT. Shepherdstown logged repeated quarter-sized reports around 6:00 PM EDT. A marble-sized report arrived after dark at 8:27 PM EDT. NWS warning-only messages accounted for many of the alerts; several radar-detected returns and spotter-verified reports corroborated the larger returns during the mid-to-late afternoon period.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar returns indicate localized impacts concentrated along the storm’s late-afternoon track. Two independent spotters reported half-dollar-size hail on Tennessee Avenue at 5:20 PM EDT, creating the highest local surface observations noted in the dataset. Multiple spotter-verified quarter-sized reports centered on Shepherdstown at 6:00 PM EDT, and Broadway reports around 4:28 PM EDT show dime-to-nickel accumulation on exposed surfaces.

No aggregated large-scale structural failure is present in the ground-truth reports supplied here. Observed impacts are consistent with denting and surface abrasion on vehicles and exposed metal fixtures in the named towns. Reports from Williamsport and Fulks Run indicate smaller stones and scattered accumulation on roads and vegetation. Timing and clustering of spotter reports place the most significant surface impacts in the 4:00–6:30 PM period along the corridor linking Timberville, Broadway, and Shepherdstown.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs first in Tennessee Avenue, Broadway, and Shepherdstown neighborhoods where larger spotter-reported stones were observed. Look for hail-induced bruising on asphalt shingles, denting on metal panels and gutters, and localized missing granules. Document all findings with date-stamped photos and include a size reference for each damaged element.

Check parked vehicles and exposed HVAC equipment in the same sequence. Half-dollar and quarter-sized impacts may leave clear dents on vehicles and can damage external condenser fins. Prioritize appliance covers and condenser fins for immediate temporary protection if owners report leaks or degraded performance.