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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in May 1998

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in May 1998 from May 1, 1998 through May 31, 1998, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Pick any date to see hail, wind and tornado public reports for that day — e.g. September 18, 2026.
Hail Reports
3,642
Wind Reports
2,768
Tornado Reports
327
Max Hail Size
5.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · May 1998 · 1998–present Updated  Daily · last May 31, 1998

NWS Hail Reports in May 1998

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
11:35 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
York County · 120,919 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: York, PA
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:30 PM CST
Hail report for May 1998
Weakley County · 10,402 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail ranged from dime size in Dresden to golf ball size in Greenfield.
NWS Hail Report Location: Dresden, TN
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
10:03 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Providence County · 124,193 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Cranston, RI
0.88″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:57 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
New Haven County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Derby, CT
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:50 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Franklin County · 45,640 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Greencastle, PA
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:32 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Fairfield County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Danbury, CT
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:30 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Franklin County · 45,640 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mercersburg, PA
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:18 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Worcester County · 201,388 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: West Brookfield, MA
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:12 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Monroe County · 65,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Snydersville, PA
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:10 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Pulaski County · 21,510 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Faubush, KY
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:08 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Worcester County · 201,388 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: New Braintree, MA
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:06 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Putnam County · 29,826 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mahopac, NY
2.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
9:05 PM EST
Hail report for May 1998
Whitley County · 9,964 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Goldbug, KY
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1998
8:05 PM CST
Hail report for May 1998
Muhlenberg County · 10,133 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 S Greenville, KY
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1998
7:50 PM CST
Hail report for May 1998
Hopkins County · 15,874 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Madisonville, KY
Showing 15 of 30
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

NWS Wind Reports in May 1998

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
May 31, 1998
11:58 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Union County · 7,053 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Luttrell, TN
58 mph
May 31, 1998
11:55 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Montgomery County · 186,982 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Pottstown, PA
79 mph
May 31, 1998
11:50 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Grainger County · 7,608 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Rutledge, TN
58 mph
May 31, 1998
11:45 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Chester County · 127,346 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Bucktown, PA
58 mph
May 31, 1998
11:45 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Cecil County · 31,795 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Calvert, MD
71 mph
May 31, 1998
11:40 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Chester County · 127,346 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: S Atglen, PA
59 mph
May 31, 1998
11:35 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Dauphin County · 63,287 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down.
NWS Wind Report Location: Harrisburg, PA
UNK mph
May 31, 1998
11:30 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Campbell County · 14,679 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Elk Vly, TN
UNK mph
May 31, 1998
11:15 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Campbell County · 14,679 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Countywide, TN
98 mph
May 31, 1998
11:10 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
York County · 120,919 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Winds blew the roof of the Bell Socialization Services building in York. The top of a 60-foot white oak tree was blown off into a York area home.
NWS Wind Report Location: York, PA
59 mph
May 31, 1998
10:59 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Adams County · 32,441 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down. Route 30 and 233 closed.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cashtown, PA
UNK mph
May 31, 1998
10:55 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Carroll County · 51,140 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Taneytown, MD
UNK mph
May 31, 1998
10:55 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Claiborne County · 10,279 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Clairfield, TN
63 mph
May 31, 1998
10:50 PM EST
Wind report for May 1998
Cumberland County · 65,680 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Shiremanstown, PA
58 mph
May 31, 1998
9:45 PM CST
Wind report for May 1998
Sumner County · 59,568 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 4 trees were blownd won between Westmoreland and Oak Grove.
NWS Wind Report Location: Northeast Portion, TN
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

NWS Tornado Reports in May 1998

30 reports
F1 category
May 31, 1998
11:52 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Chester County · 127,346 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Lenape, PA
F1 category
May 31, 1998
11:43 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Chester County · 127,346 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NE Daleville, PA
F2 category
May 31, 1998
11:30 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Lancaster County · 120,566 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado struck about 12:30am EDT in the early morning hours of Monday, June 1st. Initial touchdown was just south of Quarryville. The tornado traveled east along a 7 mile path to Ninepoints. Damage was most extensive in the Ninepoints area and was rated an F2 intensity (112 to 157 mph). The width of the F2 damage was probably 100 to 200 yards wide with lesser damage extending out to 1/2 mile. At least 6 homes had significant damage. One home had the roof and second floor removed. Several barns were damaged and at least one destroyed. Trees were blown down on a number of homes. One person reported sighting the tornado. Only one minor injury was reported.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Quarryville, PA
F1 category
May 31, 1998
9:48 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Bell County · 7,261 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NW Fonde, KY
F0 category
May 31, 1998
8:50 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Pike County · 34,623 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A severe thunderstorm briefly produced a tornado over southwestern portions of the county late in the evening. An F0 tornado touched down over Greentown around 9:50 pm EDT. The twister toppled trees and sheared off some tree tops just east of route 447. The path of the damage was about a quarter of a mile by 30 yards.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Greentown, PA
F2 category
May 31, 1998
8:35 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Adair County · 6,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Pellyton, KY
F1 category
May 31, 1998
8:30 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Litchfield County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SW Washington, CT
F1 category
May 31, 1998
8:15 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Wyoming County · 10,136 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A thunderstorm became tornadic over extreme southern portions of the county late in the evening. The cell dropped an F1 tornado on Beaumont township around 9:15 pm EDT. Post storm surveys and eyewitness accounts indicate that the tornado was near ground level only briefly as it skipped over a cemetery site and down an embankment just south of state route 2018. A house sustained minor damage from falling tree limbs near the path of the twister. A metal sign was bent over from the force of the winds and a few large trees were sheared off. The tornado lifted back up before crossing route 309. The distance of its path was about a half mile by 50 yards.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Beaumont, PA
F0 category
May 31, 1998
8:15 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Lycoming County · 36,606 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A small tornado touched down just southwest of Hughesville in a trailer park destroying an old trailer and blowing a second one off its foundation. Several trees were also uprooted in the area.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Hughesville, PA
F0 category
May 31, 1998
8:02 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Lycoming County · 36,606 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A small tornado touched down on the Lycoming County Airport, totally damaging one hangar with minor damage to 3 others. A 700 lb. door was ripped off a hangar housing private aircraft and several small planes were tossed around. The aircraft had to be cut out of the hangar with torches. A stand of trees just east of the hangar had tops broken out about 20 feet above the ground.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Montoursville, PA
F3 category
May 31, 1998
8:00 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Berks County · 96,137 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Evansville, PA
F3 category
May 31, 1998
7:50 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Somerset County · 27,746 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado touched down just east of Mt. Davis and traveled east-southeast into downtown Salisbury. The storm then continued eastward for 8 miles ending east of the town of Pocahontas. The tornado was rated as an F2 (113 to 157 mph) through the town of Salisbury, but probably reached F3 (158 to 206 mph) intensity briefly near Pocohontas. Along the 15 mile path, damages were estimated to reach between $3 million to $4 million. The path length of the tornado was probably close to 15 miles. F0 damage (40-72 mph) was in a swath about 1/2 mile wide, with F2 damage confined to an area about 2 blocks wide in Salisbury. Near Pocohontas, a farmhouse was completely destroyed indicating winds of F3 intensity (158 to 206 mph) in an area about 50 yards wide. Fifteen people were injured from the tornado. One person, a 13 year old female in a van, lost her life when a tree fell onto the vehicle. 150 people were sheltered overnight Sunday. A 51-year old male and 15-year old female died from carbon monoxide poisoning when a portable generator malfunctioned 3 days after the event. The tornado struck downtown Salisbury around 8:50pm. Ten to fifteen businesses were significantly damaged. Siding and parts of roofs were removed from a number of homes, and part of a roof was removed from a church. The roof was completely ripped off of a furniture factory. Several tractor trailers at the factory were overturned.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Salisbury, PA
F0 category
May 31, 1998
7:50 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Wayne County · 27,223 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A severe thunderstorm became tornadic across extreme southern portions of the county. Eyewitness reports and post storm surveys indicate that a tornado briefly touched down in Dreher township around 7:50 pm EDT. The tornado appeared to skip over hilltop areas for a minute or two before lifting back into the cloud base. Spurts of tree and power line damage were seen from above. Trees and large limbs were fallen in several directions with the damage pattern rather chaotic. The tornado's intensity was rated as F0 at this point with the damage path about a half mile by 30 yards or so.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 S Sterling, PA
F1 category
May 31, 1998
7:45 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Lycoming County · 36,606 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A small tornado touched down about 3 miles southwest of Salladasburg, moved northeast causing intermittent damage to trees along a 7 mile path. A garage and breezeway were demolished near the initial touchdown at a ridgetop and a few trees surrounding the home were blown over. A haywagon was also lifted and damaged. Several sheds and a number of trees were also damaged where the storm touched down as it moved northeast of Salladasburg.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Salladasburg, PA
F0 category
May 31, 1998
7:20 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1998
Lackawanna County · 64,732 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A thunderstorm briefly became tornadic across extreme southern portions of the county. An F0 tornado appeared to touch down for a short time in Jefferson township at about 9:20 pm EDT. The tornado was only on the ground for a minute or two as determined from storm surveys and eyewitness accounts. A small swath of tree damage was evident just west of Half Moon Lake. Tree tops were sheared off in all directions. The damage path was approximately a quarter of a mile by about 30 yards.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NE Elmhurst, PA
Showing 15 of 30
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in May 1998 on the Interactive Map

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Browse NWS Storm Reports by Day in May 1998

May 31, 1998 872
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 30, 1998 241
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 29, 1998 396
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 28, 1998 242
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 27, 1998 143
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 26, 1998 180
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 25, 1998 210
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 24, 1998 391
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 23, 1998 172
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 22, 1998 105
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 21, 1998 340
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 20, 1998 213
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 19, 1998 216
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 18, 1998 141
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 17, 1998 66
Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in May 1998? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many storm reports were recorded in May 1998?

Our records show 3,642 hail, 2,768 wind, and 327 tornado reports in May 1998, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 31, 1998.

What was the largest hail reported in May 1998?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in May 1998 is 5.00″, reported near Gilbert, IA.

Some reports show UNK instead of a wind speed or tornado rating — what does that mean?

Wind reports come three ways: measured from an instrument, estimated from the damage observed, or UNK when no speed was recorded. Tornadoes show UNK until the National Weather Service finishes a damage survey and assigns an EF rating. UNK simply means that value was not available when the report was filed.

A report appeared near my home in May 1998 — is my roof damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report shows that hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby, not that any specific home was hit. To find out whether your property was affected, check an address-level hail report, and if it looks significant, ask a local pro about a Remote Hail Inspection before scheduling roof work.

I am buying or selling a home — how do these in May 1998 reports help?

If a storm passed through, a roof or exterior may have damage that is hard to see, or a recent repair may trace back to it. Buyers can ask better questions before closing, and sellers can document the home condition up front — both starting from the property address rather than a whole region.

How do I check what happened at a specific address in May 1998?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in May 1998 across the United States, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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