Hail history for Elko County, NV

Elko County has 55 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 26 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on May 16, 2018.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 55 since 1961

1″ or larger 26 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · May 16, 2018

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 Elko County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 55 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 24, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
May 24, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2018	0.5″	Mothball
May 17, 2018	1.0″	Quarter
May 17, 2018	1.25″	Half dollar
May 17, 2018	0.88″	Nickel
May 16, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 24, 2023 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Public submitted photos of hail stones next to a ruler representing hail of 1.25 and 1.5 inches in diameter.

May 16, 2018 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported by the public from a supercell thunderstorm.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	1	2	11	8	28	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 Elko County

Has it ever hailed in Elko County?

Yes — 55 hail events have been recorded for Elko County, NV in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 26 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Elko County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Elko County, NV is May 24, 2023, 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 Elko County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on May 16, 2018. 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 Nevada hail history

All 17 Nevada 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.