Hail history for Sanders County, MT

Sanders County has 23 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 14 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on August 16, 2006.

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 23 since 1956

1″ or larger 14 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · August 16, 2006

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 Sanders County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 23 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 11, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 11, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 21, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 3, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
August 2, 2010	0.75″	Penny
July 31, 2010	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2010	0.88″	Nickel
June 19, 2010	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 11, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

A trained spotter reported pea to golf ball sized hail.

May 11, 2025 · 0.88″ (nickel)

A trained spotter reported 0.88 inch diameter hail.

July 3, 2022 · 1.0″ (quarter)

An owner of a general store reported large hail causing dented vehicles and trailers, holes in window screens, and damaged field crops.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	0	7	7	4	4

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 Sanders County

Has it ever hailed in Sanders County?

Yes — 23 hail events have been recorded for Sanders County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 14 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Sanders County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Sanders County, MT is May 11, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Sanders County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on August 16, 2006. 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 Montana hail history

All 56 Montana 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.