Hail history for Montrose County, CO

Montrose County has 14 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 10 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on August 30, 2000.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month August

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 14 since 1968

1″ or larger 10 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · August 30, 2000

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 Montrose County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 14 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 18, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
October 1, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 11, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
June 22, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
September 22, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
August 16, 2005	1.0″	Quarter
May 6, 2005	0.88″	Nickel
September 12, 2002	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

September 18, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail estimated to be 0.75 to 1.00 inches in diameter was reported by a Cooperative Observer in Paradox.

October 1, 2022 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Ping pong ball sized hail fell in Nucla in Montrose County.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	2	1	0	5	2	3

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 Montrose County

Has it ever hailed in Montrose County?

Yes — 14 hail events have been recorded for Montrose County, CO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 10 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Montrose County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Montrose County, CO is September 18, 2023, 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 Montrose County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on August 30, 2000. 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.