HailHistoryHail by countyTexas › Howard County

Texas · county FIPS 48227

Hail history for Howard County, TX

Howard County has 318 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 227 of them 1″ or larger and 39 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 5.0″ (grapefruit) on May 10, 1996.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 5.0″ grapefruit May 10, 1996

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 318 since 1955
1″ or larger 227 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 39 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 5.0 grapefruit · May 10, 1996
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 Howard County

1 Jan 5 Feb 21 Mar 62 Apr 138 May 60 Jun 3 Jul 8 Aug 11 Sep 8 Oct 1 Nov Dec

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 318 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
2.5″ Tennis ball
1.75″ Golf ball
1.75″ Golf ball
3.0″ Tea cup
1.25″ Half dollar
1.0″ Quarter
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
1.75″ Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

· 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball-size hail was reported in Big Spring. The time of occurrence is estimated from radar.

· 3.0″ (tea cup)

A report was received from the public via MPING of tea cup-size hail in Big Spring.

· 4.0″ (softball)

Softball size hail fell five miles northeast of Big Spring along U.S. Highway 87. No damage was reported.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
511122281856636

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 Howard County

Has it ever hailed in Howard County?

Yes — 318 hail events have been recorded for Howard County, TX in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 227 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Howard County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Howard County, TX is June 8, 2025, with 2.5″ (tennis 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 Howard County?

5.0″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 10, 1996. 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 Texas hail history

All 254 Texas 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.