Hail history for Rio Arriba County, NM

Rio Arriba County has 41 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 23 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on July 31, 2018.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month September

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 41 since 1955

1″ or larger 23 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · July 31, 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 Rio Arriba County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Rio Arriba County's peak: September.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 41 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 21, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
September 17, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 24, 2019	0.88″	Nickel
June 2, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
March 22, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2018	2.0″	Hen egg
July 31, 2018	0.75″	Penny
July 31, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 17, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail fell at mile marker 232 along U.S. Highway 84 outside Ghost Ranch.

July 31, 2018 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail up to two inches in diameter fell in Youngsville. The extent damage is unknown.

July 31, 2018 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail up to the size of golf balls reported near Canones.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	0	2	2	4	10	19	2

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 Rio Arriba County

Has it ever hailed in Rio Arriba County?

Yes — 41 hail events have been recorded for Rio Arriba County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 23 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rio Arriba County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rio Arriba County, NM is September 21, 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 Rio Arriba County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on July 31, 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 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.