Hail history for Santa Clara County, CA

Santa Clara County has 35 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 1 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.0″ (quarter) on October 10, 2012.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month March

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

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 35 since 2012

1″ or larger 1 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.0″ quarter · October 10, 2012

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 Santa Clara County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Santa Clara County's peak: March.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 35 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 30, 2024	0.25″	Pea
March 30, 2024	0.25″	Pea
March 10, 2021	0.25″	Pea
April 6, 2020	0.75″	Penny
March 25, 2020	0.25″	Pea
March 25, 2020	0.25″	Pea
March 25, 2020	0.25″	Pea
March 25, 2020	0.25″	Pea

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

From the storm reports

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

March 30, 2024 · 0.25″ (pea)

Pea-sized hail and lightning reported on southbound US Highway 101 near Bailey Ave via social media.

April 6, 2020 · 0.75″ (penny)

MPING report shows dime sized hail near San Jose.

October 10, 2012 · 1.0″ (quarter)

At 3:40 PM an employee of the Santa Clara County OES observed a severe thunderstorm that produced large hail at his home. He measured hail from dime to quarter size that produced minor damage to plants around his home.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	0	0	20	15

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 Santa Clara County

Has it ever hailed in Santa Clara County?

Yes — 35 hail events have been recorded for Santa Clara County, CA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 2012, including 1 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Santa Clara County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Santa Clara County, CA is March 30, 2024, 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 Santa Clara County?

1.0″ (quarter), recorded on October 10, 2012. 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.