Hail history for DeSoto County, FL

DeSoto County has 18 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 10 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 3, 2005.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 18 since 1992

1″ or larger 10 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 3, 2005

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 DeSoto County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 18 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 30, 2009	0.75″	Penny
June 11, 2008	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 12, 2007	1.0″	Quarter
May 5, 2007	0.75″	Penny
April 9, 2006	1.0″	Quarter
May 3, 2005	2.75″	Baseball
May 3, 2005	1.75″	Golf ball
May 19, 2003	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 30, 2009 · 0.75″ (penny)

A SKYWARN Spotter reported penny size hail and 40 MPH winds between Arcadia and Zolfo Springs.

June 11, 2008 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

The public reported golf ball size hail near Nocatee.

May 3, 2005 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The hail covered the ground with 1 to 1.75 inch hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	9	9	0	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 DeSoto County

Has it ever hailed in DeSoto County?

Yes — 18 hail events have been recorded for DeSoto County, FL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1992, including 10 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in DeSoto County?

The most recent recorded hail event for DeSoto County, FL is July 30, 2009, 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 DeSoto County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 3, 2005. 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 Florida hail history

All 67 Florida 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.