Hail history for Madison County, MT

Madison County has 29 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 18 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on August 11, 2019.

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 29 since 1968

1″ or larger 18 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · August 11, 2019

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 Madison County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 29 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 20, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 20, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 20, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2021	0.75″	Penny
August 11, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
August 11, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
August 11, 2019	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

August 20, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Trained spotter reported half dollar sized hail while traveling through Sheridan. Time estimated using radar.

August 11, 2019 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A member of the public shared a photo of hail sized 1.75 inches in diameter.

July 22, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A severe thunderstorm dropped 1.75 inch diameter hail at Sheridan. Hail broke nearly every window on the south and west facing sides of the Sheridan high school and elementary school. Many homes suffered substantial hail damage as did vehicles and crops.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	0	0	3	12	8	5

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 Madison County

Has it ever hailed in Madison County?

Yes — 29 hail events have been recorded for Madison County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 18 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Madison County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Madison County, MT is August 20, 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 Madison County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on August 11, 2019. 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 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.