Hail history for Sacramento County, CA

Sacramento County has 9 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 0 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 0.88″ (nickel) on March 20, 2019.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026

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 9 since 1959

1″ or larger 0 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 0.88″ nickel · March 20, 2019

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.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 9 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 20, 2019	0.88″	Nickel
February 26, 2018	0.5″	Mothball
May 9, 2005	0.01″	Pea
May 9, 2005	0.01″	Pea
May 9, 2005	—	size not recorded
May 9, 2005	0.01″	Pea
March 20, 2005	0.75″	Penny
March 20, 2005	0.01″	Pea

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

From the storm reports

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

March 20, 2019 · 0.88″ (nickel)

There were multiple reports by the public of pea to nickle sized accumulating hail.

February 26, 2018 · 0.5″ (mothball)

Large amounts of small hail blanketed downtown and northern Sacramento, Natomas, and adjacent portions of I5, causing major traffic problems during the afternoon commute. Hail fell 2 to 4 inches deep in portions of north Sacramento and Natomas. Snow plows were required to remove hail in some areas. |Some damage was done to awnings and parking lot covers.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	0	0	6	2	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 Sacramento County

Has it ever hailed in Sacramento County?

Yes — 9 hail events have been recorded for Sacramento County, CA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 0 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Sacramento County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Sacramento County, CA is March 20, 2019, 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 Sacramento County?

0.88″ (nickel), recorded on March 20, 2019. Hail that size is below the National Weather Service 1″ 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.