Hail — Manassas (c), Virginia

2002-05-26 · near Manassas, Manassas (c), Virginia

Event narrative

Dime sized hail fell.

Wider weather episode

An approaching cold front kicked off several thunderstorms across Northern Virginia during the afternoon and evening hours of the 26th. These storms contained very heavy rainfall, large hail, and damaging winds. In Rockingham County, heavy downpours flooded Route 612 north of Route 259. It rained so hard that cars had to pull over to the side of the road during the deluge. Dime sized hail fell in Fulks Run. In Page County, marble to dime sized hail covered the ground in Luray. Quarter sized hail fell east of Luray at the intersection of Route 211 and Skyline Drive. In Shenandoah County, roads near Mt. Jackson were flooded by heavy downpours. In Rappahannock County, quarter sized hail fell in Amissville, Sperryville, and Castleton. Several cars were dented and repairs averaged $1000 per vehicle. There was one unconfirmed report of golfball sized hail in an unknown part of the county. An inch of rain fell in 20 minutes in Castleton. Rainfall totals included 2.88 inches in Castleton, 2.52 inches in Sperryville, and 2.20 inches in Mathews Arm. In Warren County, dime sized hail fell just west of Reliance. A total of 2.35 inches of rain was recorded at Hogback Mountain. In Frederick County, marble to quarter sized hail fell in Winchester. A total of 3 inches of rain fell in the southeast portion of the county. In Fauquier County, a spotter recorded a wind gust of 66 MPH and dime to quarter sized hail in Warrenton. Damage was reported to trees and power lines in town. Just east of Warrenton, golfball sized hail fell at the intersection of Route 29 and Route 643. About 3 miles south of Warrenton on Route 643, walnut sized hail was reported. In Prince William County, dime sized hail fell twice in Manassas. A wind gust of 50 MPH was estimated by a spotter. In Loudoun County, a few trees were downed and dime sized hail fell just south of Hamilton. Dime to quarter sized hail was reported in Leesburg and South Riding. Golfball sized hail fell in Round Hill. A gust of 52 MPH was recorded at the Leesburg Airport. In Fairfax County, dime sized hail was reported in Centreville where 1.45 inches of rain fell in 20 minutes.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5297610. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.