Hail history for Otero County, CO

Otero County has 219 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 146 of them 1″ or larger and 24 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 23, 1987.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 219 since 1957

1″ or larger 146 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 24 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 23, 1987

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 Otero County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 219 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 3, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 5, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 20, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 20, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 8, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 8, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 8, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 3, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch measured hail was reported.

July 26, 2017 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Wind driven, large hail broke windows and destroyed crops in and around Higbee.

September 17, 2001 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Severe thunderstorms produced hail up to baseball size in northern Otero County. At Holbrook Reservoir golf ball to baseball size hail killed over 1600 birds. The dead birds include: 1479 pelicans...over 100 acelots...about 50 gulls...24 ducks...and a couple dozen other waterfowl. A few homes in the area also had their windows broken by the large hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	8	5	16	50	52	69	18

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 Otero County

Has it ever hailed in Otero County?

Yes — 219 hail events have been recorded for Otero County, CO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 146 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Otero County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Otero County, CO is July 3, 2024, 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 Otero County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 23, 1987. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. 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.