Hail history for Carter County, MT

Carter County has 290 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 195 of them 1″ or larger and 31 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 18, 2002.

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 290 since 1960

1″ or larger 195 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 31 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 18, 2002

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 Carter County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 290 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 19, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 20, 2025	2.5″	Tennis ball
June 20, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
June 20, 2025	2.5″	Tennis ball
April 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
July 5, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 19, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Most pea size, but with the occasional golf ball size hail.

June 19, 2015 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

The public reported softball size hail 2 miles north of Hammond on Crow Creek Road.

July 7, 2013 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail ranged from 1 to 3 inches in diameter but the majority was the size of quarters.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	4	3	6	42	115	96	24

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 Carter County

Has it ever hailed in Carter County?

Yes — 290 hail events have been recorded for Carter County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 195 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Carter County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Carter County, MT is July 19, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Carter County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 18, 2002. 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 Montana hail history

All 56 Montana 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.