Hail history for Valencia County, NM

Valencia County has 32 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 27 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on September 30, 1998.

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 32 since 1959

1″ or larger 27 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · September 30, 1998

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 Valencia County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 32 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 28, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 4, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2025	0.75″	Penny
July 23, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
September 1, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
June 2, 2019	0.75″	Penny
June 2, 2019	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 1, 2018	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

September 28, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Nickel to golf ball size hail reported near and just south of Los Lunas, NM.

August 17, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail pounded the Belen area. Dozens of vehicles were damaged and numerous building had windows broken. Several street lights were damaged and trees were stripped of leaves.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	0	0	7	6	12	5

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 Valencia County

Has it ever hailed in Valencia County?

Yes — 32 hail events have been recorded for Valencia County, NM in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 27 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Valencia County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Valencia County, NM is September 28, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf 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 Valencia County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on September 30, 1998. 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.