HailHistoryHail by countyCalifornia › Monterey County

California · county FIPS 06053

Hail history for Monterey County, CA

Monterey County has 21 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 1 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.0″ (quarter) on January 20, 2010.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month January
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 1.0″ quarter January 20, 2010

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 21 since 2001
1″ or larger 1 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 1.0 quarter · January 20, 2010
Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Monterey County

6 Jan 3 Feb 5 Mar 5 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 1 Nov 1 Dec

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Monterey County's peak: January.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 21 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea
0.25″ Pea

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Monterey County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

· 0.25″ (pea)

Pea sized hail was reported at the National Weather Service office in Monterey.

· 0.7″ (penny)

Began to see reports via social media of localized, low level urban flooding due to heavy rain and hail, so we investigated. To attain some ground truth, WCM called petro facility that the convection crossed. He spoke with the plant supervisor who was from Texas and knows severe weather. The supervisor was able to provide photos and video of the hail falling and accumulating.

· 1.0″ (quarter)

An intense hail storm occurred near Ryan Ranch just south-southeast of Del Rey Oaks.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
000002154

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Monterey County

Has it ever hailed in Monterey County?

Yes — 21 hail events have been recorded for Monterey County, CA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 2001, including 1 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Monterey County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Monterey County, CA is March 29, 2023, with 0.25″ (pea) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Monterey County?

1.0″ (quarter), recorded on January 20, 2010. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More California hail history

All 58 California counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.