Hail history for Quay County, NM

Quay County has 349 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 225 of them 1″ or larger and 31 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on May 25, 2023.

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 349 since 1959

1″ or larger 225 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 31 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · May 25, 2023

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 Quay County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 349 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 4, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 4, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 26, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 25, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
October 20, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
October 20, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
October 20, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 4, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Storm chasers on the ICECHIP field research program observed quarter to ping pong ball size hail near Quay from a severe thunderstorm.

May 25, 2023 · 3.5″ (softball)

There were multiple reports from storm chasers of large hail ranging in size from 2 to 3.5 inches just east-northeast of Tucumcari along U.S. Highway 54. Thankfully there were no reports of damage directly related to the hail.

August 18, 2009 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Several 1.75 inch to 3 inch hail stones were along State Highway 392. Relayed by spotternetwork.org.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	5	9	23	71	104	85	51

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 Quay County

Has it ever hailed in Quay County?

Yes — 349 hail events have been recorded for Quay County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 225 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Quay County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Quay County, NM is June 4, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Quay County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on May 25, 2023. 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.