Hail history for Rio Grande County, CO

Rio Grande County has 21 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 13 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on September 29, 2000.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 21 since 1955

1″ or larger 13 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · September 29, 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 Rio Grande County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Rio Grande County's peak: July.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 21 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 21, 2024	0.75″	Penny
August 21, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
July 11, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
May 28, 2008	0.88″	Nickel
July 22, 2006	0.88″	Nickel
June 26, 2004	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2000	1.75″	Golf ball
June 27, 2000	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

August 21, 2024 · 0.88″ (nickel)

A trained spotter reported hail of 0.88 inches in diameter.

June 29, 1995 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The barley and potato crop sustained extensive damage in a 12- by 3-mile swath from a portion of southern Saguache County to northern Rio Grande County from the Gunbarrell Station to Rio Grande County's mile road.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	3	1	6	5	1	2

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 Grande County

Has it ever hailed in Rio Grande County?

Yes — 21 hail events have been recorded for Rio Grande County, CO in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 13 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rio Grande County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rio Grande County, CO is August 21, 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 Grande County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on September 29, 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.