Hail history for Yakima County, WA

Yakima County has 22 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 8 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on July 20, 2012.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 22 since 1993

1″ or larger 8 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · July 20, 2012

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 Yakima County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 22 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 23, 2015	0.88″	Nickel
July 20, 2012	1.75″	Golf ball
July 20, 2012	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 20, 2012	1.25″	Half dollar
July 31, 2010	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2010	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2010	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2010	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

May 23, 2015 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Social Media reported the hail with the thunderstorm.

July 20, 2012 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail accompanied by heavy rainfall.

July 31, 2010 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch hail reported by spotter.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	1	12	9	0

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 Yakima County

Has it ever hailed in Yakima County?

Yes — 22 hail events have been recorded for Yakima County, WA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1993, including 8 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Yakima County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Yakima County, WA is May 23, 2015, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 Yakima County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on July 20, 2012. 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 Washington hail history

All 39 Washington 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.