Virginia, 1998

Hail and Damaging Winds in Virginia, April 1, 1998

April 1, 1998 · NWS LWX · 5 events in 4 counties and zones

Unstable air ahead of a strong cold front aided the formation of thunderstorm bands, some which became severe, during the evening of the 1st. Well-developed storms produced near-severe wind gusts and hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$15,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.

Unstable air ahead of a strong cold front aided the formation of thunderstorm bands, some which became severe, during the evening of the 1st. Well-developed storms produced near-severe wind gusts and hail. The largest hail fell in Haymarket (golf ball sized); other reports of hail were received from Fauquier, Albemarle, and Loudoun Cos.One storm during the afternoon produced a small area of straight-line wind damage in Manassas Park (Prince William Co). A portion of the gymnasium roof at Manassas Park High School was lifted slightly. At least 7 cars had window damage; one car was moved several feet from its original space. A nearby satellite dish sustained serious damage. No other damage was reported to local officials in the area.An estimated wind gust of at least 58 mph was noted in Bailey's Crossroads. Lightning knocked out power to portions of Virginia, including Arlington and Fairfax Cos.

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Prince William

When
April 1, 1:15 PM EST
Where
Prince William County, North Portion
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
38.800, -77.580

Hail, Fauquier

When
April 1, 6:55 PM EST
Where
Fauquier County, Broad Run
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.830, -77.720

Hail, Prince William

When
April 1, 7:00 PM EST to 7:10 PM EST
Where
Prince William County, Haymarket
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
38.820, -77.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Fairfax

When
April 1, 8:41 PM EST
Where
Fairfax County, Baileys Xrds
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
38.870, -77.150

Lightning, Arlington

When
April 1, 8:45 PM EST
Where
Arlington County, Arlington
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
38.879, -77.101 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Virginia in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, April 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5643710, 5643711, 5643712, 5643713, 5643714.