Hail history for Rio Blanco County, CO

Rio Blanco County has 11 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 9 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on September 20, 1997.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026

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 11 since 1984

1″ or larger 9 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · September 20, 1997

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.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 11 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 28, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 25, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 2, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2017	1.75″	Golf ball
August 15, 2009	1.75″	Golf ball
September 16, 2007	1.0″	Quarter
June 3, 2002	1.75″	Golf ball
June 19, 2000	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

June 28, 2024 · 0.75″ (penny)

Report received of penny size hail 8 miles south-southwest of Meeker. Video of Highway 13 shows the road covered in hail after the storm moved through.

July 20, 2017 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Land management personnel experienced golf-ball size hail.

August 15, 2009 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball sized hail struck the town of Rangely. Minor damage was reported, including shingle damage, dents in cars and a few broken windows.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	1	2	4	1	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 Rio Blanco County

Has it ever hailed in Rio Blanco County?

Yes — 11 hail events have been recorded for Rio Blanco County, CO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1984, including 9 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rio Blanco County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rio Blanco County, CO is June 28, 2024, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Rio Blanco County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on September 20, 1997. 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.