Hail history for Sierra County, NM

Sierra County has 41 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 30 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on May 20, 1991.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 1957

1″ or larger 30 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · May 20, 1991

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 Sierra County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 41 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 24, 2020	0.75″	Penny
February 10, 2020	0.75″	Penny
June 13, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar
October 19, 2017	1.75″	Golf ball
June 24, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
October 9, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
September 30, 2016	0.75″	Penny
April 22, 2016	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

June 24, 2017 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter sized hail and very heavy rain along with high winds near Sierra/Socorro County line.

May 8, 2012 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail reported in Caballo.

September 24, 2004 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail accumulated to 4 inches on Interstate 25 south of Truth or Consequences, leading to multiple vehicle accidents. The largest hail reported by NMDOT was golf ball size.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	1	3	0	6	12	14	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 Sierra County

Has it ever hailed in Sierra County?

Yes — 41 hail events have been recorded for Sierra County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 30 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Sierra County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Sierra County, NM is June 24, 2020, 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 Sierra County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on May 20, 1991. 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.