Columbus Dispatch Reports Hail Ranging from Small to Golf Ball Size Across Local Areas

Hail, from small to up to the size of golf balls has been reported in some areas on Columbus’ Northwest Side and in Worthington from a storm system that has led to multiple severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of central Ohio on Wednesday, April 22.

A strong thunderstorm was located 9 miles northwest of Frazeysburg at 6:50 p.m., moving south at 10 mph, and impacted portions of northeast Licking County through 7:15 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of Franklin, Fairfield and Licking counties at 6:15 p.m. And expired at 6:45 p.m. After an earlier warning for north central Fairfield County and southern Licking County expired at 6:15 p.m.

Another severe thunderstorm warning had been issued until 5:30 p.m. On Thursday, April 22, for northeastern Franklin County, southern Delaware County, and southeastern Union County, and that warning also expired.

The severe storms brought heavy rain, lightning and thunder, and hail to various areas in central Ohio, with wind gusts up to 60 mph and possible damage to trees and power lines.

Hail the size of quarters is possible with damage to vehicles possible, according to the weather service.

Hail was reported on Columbus’ Northwest Side shortly before 5 p.m. By Dispatch staffer Andy Resnik, who noted that the hail had covered the driveway of his home and was piling up in the yard, front planting bed and out on the street.

High-resolution radar imagery shows two distinct storm cores impacting different sections of the Columbus metro — one targeting the northern half near Marysville, Plain City, Delaware and Westerville, and another tracking across the southern portions toward I-70 and areas south of downtown.

Communities in the path of the northern storm core included Marysville, Plain City, Radnor, Delaware and portions of Westerville.

The southern storm cell focused on areas near Dayton, along Interstate 75 eastward toward Columbus and the I-70 corridor, bringing another round of hail-producing downpours.

Radar imagery near Dayton and I-75 shows a separate strong cell with a defined hail core, with communities between Dayton and Columbus experiencing repeated rounds of storms as the line progressed eastward.

Hail sizes ranged from quarter size (1 inch) up to ping pong ball size (1.5 inches) in the affected areas.