Chester Hail — Storm History & NOAA Data for Chester, PA

Data current as of 2026-10-16 · Sourced from NOAA Storm Events

Over the past five years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recorded 90 hail storms within 25 miles of Chester, PA. Of those, 50 produced hail at least quarter-size — the threshold most insurance carriers consider potentially damaging to asphalt shingles. The largest reported hail in this window was egg-sized, which can fracture shingle mat and dent metal flashing on contact. 2022 was the most active year on record locally, with 38 documented hail events.

Check Hail History for a Specific Address in Chester

Hail Severity Breakdown — Chester Area (Last 5 Years)

Severity	Count	What it means for roofs
Destructive	1 event	Egg-size, expect mat fractures and gutter damage
Severe	5 events	Ping pong-size, granule loss and bruising common
Significant	44 events	Quarter-size, the standard insurance damage threshold
Moderate	38 events	Marble-size, possible cosmetic damage
Minor	2 events	Pea-size, unlikely to damage modern shingles

Chester Hail Storms by Year

Year	Reported Hail Events Within 25 mi
2026	15 events
2025	12 events
2024	7 events
2023	18 events
2022	38 events

2022 was the busiest hail year on record locally for Chester, with 38 documented events inside the 25-mile radius. Storm activity in Chester typically peaks in spring and early summer, when the jet stream pushes Gulf moisture into the area and supercell thunderstorms become more frequent.

Notable Recent Chester Hail Storms

September 2, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near Williamstown. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Chester-area properties.
July 27, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near Williamstown. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Chester-area properties.
June 22, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 1 N Upper Uwchlan Twp. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Chester-area properties.
June 22, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near LUDWIGS CORNER. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Chester-area properties.
May 20, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 1 WNW Wayne. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Chester-area properties.

Recent Hail Events Near Chester

Date	Location	Severity	Size	NOAA Comments
2026-09-02	3 NW Williamstown, NJ	Moderate	0.50"	Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
2026-09-02	2 NW Williamstown, NJ	Moderate	0.75"	Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
2026-09-02	Williamstown, NJ	Significant	1.00"	Quarter size hail reported in Williamstown.
2026-08-27	1 SW Pitman, NJ	Moderate	0.70"	—
2026-08-27	2 E Washington Twp, NJ	Moderate	0.75"	Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
2026-08-20	2 N Plymouth Meeting, PA	Moderate	0.75"	Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
2026-08-20	1 N Plymouth Meeting, PA	Moderate	0.75"	Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
2026-07-27	Williamstown, NJ	Significant	1.00"	Public report of quarter size hail in Williamstown with flooding.
2026-07-27	Chestnut Hill, PA	Moderate	0.50"	0.25 to 0.50 inch hail reported in Chestnut Hill. Winds estimated around 40 mph.
2026-06-22	East Greenwich Twp, NJ	Minor	0.25"	Report of pea sized hail. Time estimated from radar.
2026-06-22	1 N Upper Uwchlan Twp, PA	Significant	1.00"	Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
2026-06-22	LUDWIGS CORNER, PA	Significant	1.00"	Quarter sized hail reported from mping.
2026-05-20	1 WNW Wayne, PA	Significant	1.00"	Time estimated from radar. Picture sent in from skywarn spotter.
2026-05-20	WAYNE, PA	Significant	1.00"	Skywarn spotter sent a picture of quarter-sized hail.
2026-03-03	1 NE Midvale, DE	Minor	0.03"	ASOS station KILG Wilmington.
2025-05-03	PRIMOS, PA	Moderate	0.88"	Nickel-sized hail was observed.
2025-05-03	ROCKLEDGE, PA	Significant	1.00"	A report of 1 inch diameter hail was relayed through MPing.
2025-04-04	GRACE PARK, PA	Significant	1.25"	From a trained spotter who also estimated 65 mph wind gusts. Time given in report.
2025-04-04	CROSS KEYS ARPT, NJ	Significant	1.00"	—
2025-04-04	RUTLEDGE, PA	Significant	1.00"	Report from mping. Time estimated from radar.

Wind Storm History — Chester Area (Last 5 Years)

NOAA has recorded 473 high-wind events within 25 miles of Chester, PA in the past five years. Of those, 471 reached severe-thunderstorm thresholds (58+ mph). The highest measured gust was 105 mph.

Severity	Count
Destructive	1 event
Severe	17 events
Significant	453 events
Moderate	2 events

Recent Wind Events Near Chester

Date	Location	Gust (mph)	Severity	NOAA Comments
2026-09-02	1 NNE Delaware City, DE	68	Severe	Station DELD1 - 8551762 - Delaware City DE gusted to 59.1 kt.
2026-09-02	New Castle County Airpo, DE	53	Significant	KILG gusted to 53 mph.
2026-09-02	1 WNW Elsinboro Twp, NJ	68	Severe	KNJSALEM28 gusted to 68 mph.
2026-09-02	Hyde Park, DE	60	Significant	Spotter Network. Trained spotter reports 60 mph winds.
2026-08-08	1 ENE Carneys Point Twp, NJ	62	Significant	measured from a handheld anemometer.
2026-08-07	1 NE Midvale, DE	43	Moderate	ASOS station KILG Wilmington.
2026-08-07	1 W Logan Twp., NJ	45	Moderate	Mesonet station NJ65 Logan Twp.
2026-07-11	Philadelphia Internatio, PA	56	Significant	ASOS station KPHL Philadelphia International Airport.
2026-07-11	Ardmore, PA	55	Significant	Trained spotter measured wind gust in Ardmore. Minor flooding of streets also reported.
2026-07-11	1 SSW Haverford, PA	60	Significant	Trained spotter estimates wind gusts up to 60 mph in Ardmore, Haverford Township. Flooding on Haverford Road.
2026-07-09	1 ENE Carneys Point Twp, NJ	52	Significant	Measured a wind gust of 52 mph on handheld anemometer.
2026-07-05	1 NNE East Caln Twp, PA	62	Significant	Measured from anemometer. Reported from spotter network.
2026-06-22	UPLAND, PA	58	Significant	Multiple large tree branches snapped near the intersection of Newark Road and Clonmell Mill Road. A tree is also down on Newark road. Time estimated from radar.
2026-06-22	MARSHALLTON, PA	58	Significant	Multiple reports of wires down along Clayton Road. Time estimated from radar.
2026-06-22	BELLS LAKE, NJ	58	Significant	Several trees and wires down across Washington Twp. Time estimated by radar.
2026-06-22	HURFFVILLE, NJ	58	Significant	Several trees and wires down across Pitman. Time estimated by radar.
2026-06-22	CHESTER, PA	58	Significant	Several trees downed across Chester. Time estimated by radar.
2026-06-22	BRIDESBURG, PA	58	Significant	News broadcast reports a tree down in Port Richmond near Interstate 95 and Allegheny Avenue Exit 25. Time estimated from radar.
2026-06-22	MANTUA, NJ	58	Significant	Several trees and wires down across Mantua Township. Time estimated by radar.
2026-06-22	ALDHAM, PA	58	Significant	Trees and wires down reported around Charlestown Township. Time estimated by radar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chester Hail

When was the last major hail storm in Chester, PA?

The most recent quarter-size-or-larger hail storm recorded by NOAA within 25 miles of Chester was on September 2, 2026. HailCheck refreshes from the NOAA Storm Events database daily, so newer events appear here as they are reported.

How often does it hail in Chester?

Chester averages roughly 18 reported hail events per year within a 25-mile radius. Significant storms (quarter-size or larger) account for 50 of the 90 events recorded over the last five years.

How big does hail typically get in Chester?

The largest documented hail near Chester in the last five years was egg-sized. Most Chester-area hail falls in the marble-to-quarter range, with destructive storms (egg-size or larger) appearing roughly once every few years.

Does my insurance cover hail damage in PA?

Most homeowners insurance policies in PA cover hail damage to roofs, siding, and gutters under the dwelling and other-structures coverage. Coverage typically requires the damage to be tied to a verifiable storm date — which is where the NOAA hail history above (and a HAAG-style test square validation) becomes important for the claim file.

How do I check hail history for a specific Chester address?

Use the HailCheck address search to enter any street address in or near Chester. HailCheck returns every NOAA hail event within a configurable radius, along with severity bands, dates, and storm narratives for Pro members.

What a HAAG-Style Test Square Validation Means in Chester

If your property in or near Chester took on hail during one of the storms above, the standard process for documenting damage is a 10×10 foot test square inspection. A HAAG-trained reviewer counts impact indicators — granule displacement, mat fractures, and bruising — within the marked square and produces a PASS or FAIL document for the claim file.

HailCheck offers a $99 photo-based HAAG-style test square validation. You submit photos from the field, our reviewer evaluates the impact indicators and cross-references the NOAA storm dates listed above, and a written PASS/FAIL determination is returned within one business day. We do not send anyone to the roof — the validation is built around the photos you submit.

Learn About $99 HAAG-Style Validation

Why Chester's Location Matters for Hail

Chester sits east of the traditional hail alley, where hail events are less frequent than the central plains but tend to be associated with strong squall lines and tropical systems. Local roof systems are less commonly hardened for hail, which can mean even moderate impacts produce claim-worthy damage.