Hail history for Lea County, NM

Lea County has 512 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 357 of them 1″ or larger and 60 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 6, 2005.

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 512 since 1957

1″ or larger 357 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 60 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 6, 2005

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 Lea County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 512 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 6, 2025	0.75″	Penny
June 6, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 6, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
June 6, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 6, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 6, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 6, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 6, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

June 6, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A report was received from the public of quarter-size hail southwest of Bledsoe. The time of occurrence is estimated from radar.

June 14, 2009 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Several homes and vehicles received significant damage due to the large hail.

June 6, 2005 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

The Lovington Police Department reported giant hail just north of Lovington. Softball size hail combined with severe wind gusts to damage structures and vehicles. The largest hail and the most intense winds occurred over less populated areas just outside of the city's limits.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	12	9	28	143	132	111	74

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 Lea County

Has it ever hailed in Lea County?

Yes — 512 hail events have been recorded for Lea County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 357 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lea County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lea County, NM is June 6, 2025, 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 Lea County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 6, 2005. 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

All 33 New Mexico 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.