HailHistory › Hail by county › New Mexico › Chaves County
New Mexico · county FIPS 35005
Hail history for Chaves County, NM
Chaves County has 289 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 200 of them 1″ or larger and 36 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 6, 1991.
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.
When it hails in Chaves County
Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Chaves County's peak: May.
Most recent recorded events
| Date | Size | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 0.75″ | Penny | |
| 2.5″ | Tennis ball | |
| 1.0″ | Quarter | |
| 1.5″ | Ping-pong ball | |
| 2.0″ | Hen egg |
Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Chaves County.
From the storm reports
Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).
· 1.0″ (quarter)
The public reported quarter size hail that lasted until 5:20 pm MDT.
· 3.0″ (tea cup)
Storm chasers and trained spotters reported very large hail ranging from one to three inches from a severe thunderstorm near Midway. The largest hailstones reported were 3 inches along U.S. Highway 285 which broke an unknown number of vehicle windshields. The strong inflow and outflow winds from the thunderstorm also produced low visibility from dust in the area.
· 3.0″ (tea cup)
Multiple sources reported very large hail from a severe thunderstorm in the Dexter area. The largest hailstones reported were 3 inches in diameter which broke numerous windshields along U.S. Highway 285. Damages are estimated for the unknown amount of broken windshields.
Events by decade
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 61 | 72 | 89 | 36 |
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 Chaves County
Has it ever hailed in Chaves County?
Yes — 289 hail events have been recorded for Chaves County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 200 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.
When did it last hail in Chaves County?
The most recent recorded hail event for Chaves County, NM is June 22, 2025, 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 Chaves County?
4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 6, 1991. 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 New Mexico hail history
- Eddy County 548
- Lea County 512
- Union County 416
- Quay County 349
- Curry County 342
- Colfax County 302
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.