Hail history for La Plata County, CO

La Plata County has 40 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 29 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on September 22, 2013.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month September

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 40 since 1955

1″ or larger 29 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · September 22, 2013

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 La Plata County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks La Plata County's peak: September.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 40 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 11, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 20, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
September 11, 2022	0.75″	Penny
June 19, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
June 19, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball
May 31, 2021	0.75″	Penny
June 22, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
October 19, 2015	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

September 11, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

At 1452 MST on September 11, a trained spotter reported 1 inch diameter hail 2 miles NNW of Falfa, Colorado.

September 22, 2013 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball sized hail was reported at 3rd and 13th streets in Durango.

September 22, 2013 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail up to the size of hen eggs and strong winds caused considerable damage to residences and property near Marvel.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	0	0	2	13	16	6

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 La Plata County

Has it ever hailed in La Plata County?

Yes — 40 hail events have been recorded for La Plata County, CO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 29 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in La Plata County?

The most recent recorded hail event for La Plata County, CO is September 11, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 La Plata County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on September 22, 2013. 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 Colorado hail history

All 64 Colorado 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.