Hail history for Fresno County, CA

Fresno County has 85 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 24 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on May 13, 1957.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 85 since 1957

1″ or larger 24 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · May 13, 1957

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 Fresno County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 85 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 11, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2019	0.5″	Mothball
April 11, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
April 12, 2010	0.75″	Penny
June 5, 2009	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2009	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2009	1.0″	Quarter
June 4, 2009	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 11, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Video posted on Twitter showing 1 inch diameter hail on SR 180 between Mendota and Kerman.

June 4, 2009 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

A trained spotter reported Half-dollar sized hail 7 miles ESE of San Joaquin.

April 4, 2006 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail varying from 1 to 1.5 inches was reported by school bus drivers near Sanger in Fresno County.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	1	1	25	53	3	1

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 Fresno County

Has it ever hailed in Fresno County?

Yes — 85 hail events have been recorded for Fresno County, CA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 24 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Fresno County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Fresno County, CA is March 11, 2023, 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 Fresno County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on May 13, 1957. 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 California hail history

All 58 California 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.