HailHistoryHail by countyTexas › Yoakum County

Texas · county FIPS 48501

Hail history for Yoakum County, TX

Yoakum County has 125 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 97 of them 1″ or larger and 18 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on June 2, 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 · 4.0″ softball June 2, 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 125 since 1961
1″ or larger 97 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 18 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 4.0 softball · June 2, 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 Yoakum County

Jan Feb 8 Mar 21 Apr 41 May 34 Jun 3 Jul 1 Aug 5 Sep 12 Oct Nov Dec

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 125 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
2.0″ Hen egg
1.75″ Golf ball
3.5″ Softball
1.75″ Golf ball
1.0″ Quarter
1.0″ Quarter
1.75″ Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

· 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Law enforcement in Yoakum County reported ping pong ball size hail between Denver City and Plains along Texas State Highway 214.

· 3.5″ (softball)

An off-duty NWS employee and numerous storm chasers reported a swath of hail from southwest of Denver City to approximately four miles north of Denver City. Hail ranged in sizes from golf balls to 3.50 inches in diameter. No damage was reported.

· 3.5″ (softball)

The Yoakum County Sheriff's Office reported that baseball size hail smashed out many automobile windshields and punctured holes in the roofs of several mobile homes. Two Sheriff's Office cruisers sustained significant damage. Area gins and cotton farmers reported that more than 25,000 acres of cotton were destroyed east of Plains. No injuries were reported.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
0491626421612

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 Yoakum County

Has it ever hailed in Yoakum County?

Yes — 125 hail events have been recorded for Yoakum County, TX in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 97 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Yoakum County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Yoakum County, TX is May 4, 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 Yoakum County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on June 2, 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.