15 Hail Damage Statistics in Colorado

Each year, Colorado confronts different phenomena that traverse various states in the United States.

With that uncontrollable event, Colorado faces each hailstorm with determination.

We will guide you through these hailstorm facts and their significant effects on residences and enterprises in the history of Colorado.

Embark on this journey with us as we delve into the data—accounts of challenges, resilience, and restoration from property owners in Colorado contending with the onslaught of hailstorms.

Continue reading!

One - A Total of 70 Verified Climate Disaster Events, Losses Surpassing $1 Billion from 1980 to 2024

Spanning from 1980 to 2024 (March 8, 2024), Colorado has weathered the impact of 70 verified weather and climate disaster events, each surpassing $1 billion each in losses.

This comprehensive list comprises diverse catastrophes, encompassing 15 instances of drought, 2 floods, 1 freeze event, 38 severe hailstorms, 12 wildfires, and 2 winter storms.

Two - Unveiling the $1.2 Billion Property Damage Impact

Seven - The May 2019 Tornado Outbreak Across Multiple States

From May 26 to 29, 2019, a relentless four-day tornado outbreak wreaked havoc across several states spanning the Rockies, Central, and Northeast regions, including Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

This catastrophic event spawned 190 tornadoes, accompanied by a multitude of reports detailing instances of damaging hail and powerful straight-line thunderstorm winds.

One incident of profound significance involved an EF-4 tornado that inflicted heavy damage in proximity to the city of Dayton, Ohio, on May 27, leaving a lasting impact on the affected area.

The cumulative cost of this disaster soared to a staggering $5.5 billion in all states affected that also took 3 lives.

Eight - The Impact of the July 2018 Severe Storms in Colorado and Utah

Over the course of July 18 to 19, 2018, severe hail storms unleashed chaos across several areas in Colorado, ranging from northern Denver to Boulder and Fort Collins, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Characterized by hailstones varying in size from golf ball to baseball-sized, these storms inflicted widespread damage on numerous residential and commercial properties.

The damages of these severe storms were not confined to Colorado alone, as Utah also grappled with moderate hail damage.

See more roof hail damage picture here.

Nine - The Costliest Hail Storm that Hit Colorado

From May 8 to 11, 2017, a series of destructive hail storms and strong winds swept through multiple states including Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Missouri.

The Denver metro region was the center of the devastation, as baseball-sized hail wreaked havoc, marking this calamity as the costliest hail storm in Colorado's history.

Insured losses soared past $2.2 billion, emphasizing the magnitude of the financial impact on the region.

The widespread damage extended beyond Colorado, affecting neighboring states as well.

The catastrophic event that raged over different states amounted to a staggering total of $4.2 billion.

Ten -  The July 2009 Severe Hail Storm in Colorado's Jefferson County

On July 20, 2009, Colorado was struck by a severe hail storm of unprecedented intensity.

Jefferson County was the center of this cataclysmic event, with hail reported to be at least 8 inches deep in some areas.

The magnitude of the hail damage was reminiscent of the notorious July 11, 1990 Colorado hail storm.

This severe hail storm of 2009 left an indelible mark, inflicting a staggering $1.4 billion in damages.

Eleven - The Record-Breaking Hailstone of Fort Collins, July 30, 1979 measured 4.5 to 5 Inches

On July 30, 1979, Colorado witnessed a remarkable and unprecedented event as a colossal hailstone.

It measured an astounding 4.5 to 5 inches in size, and descended upon Fort Collins.

It was by far the biggest hailstone recorded in Colorado.

Twelve - The Rising Trend of Large Hail in Colorado

In the year 2023, concerning developments in Colorado have signaled a significant increase in the occurrence of large hailstones.

Reports of hail, some as large as baseballs—measuring over three inches in diameter—have surged nearly threefold since 2019, with the count rising from 12 to 34.

At the same time, reports of softball-sized hail, approximately four inches in diameter, have also witnessed a notable uptick.

Coloradans have filed 13 reports of such large hailstones in 2023 with the NWS Denver, marking nearly three times the number reported in 2005.

Thirteen - Colorado as One of the Most Hail-Prone States

Colorado stands out as one of the most hail-prone states in the United States, with hail occurrences more prevalent in the lee of the Rockies than in any other region across North America.

The state's distinctive topography and climatic patterns contribute to the frequent and often intense hailstorms that plague its landscape.

Hail, known for its variability both in terms of location and occurrence from year to year, ranks among the most unpredictable climatic events.

The state of Colorado experiences this variability to a remarkable degree, with hailstorms exhibiting a wide range of sizes, frequencies, and intensities, presenting a unique challenge for residents and infrastructure alike.

Notably, the highest frequency of damaging hail is observed near the border regions of Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

This convergence zone appears to be a hotspot for intense hailstorms.

Fourteen - Colorado Hail Season

In Colorado, the hail season extends from April 15 to September 15, encompassing a significant portion of the state's warmer months.

Within this timeframe, hail storms in Colorado exhibit distinct patterns, with June emerging as the month of highest frequency for hail occurrences.

Furthermore, the mid-June period is marked by a heightened tendency for particularly destructive hailstorms, posing increased risks to property and communities.

While June showcases the peak of hail activity across much of Colorado, parts of southeastern regions, including Pueblo, experience a shift in hail dynamics.

In these areas, August is the most dangerous month for hail, showing that hail patterns can vary locally within the state.

Here are pictures of roof hail damage.

Fifteen - From Sublime to Destructive Colorado Hailstones

In eastern Colorado, hailstones ranging from 1 to 2 inches in diameter, falling at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, are a common occurrence throughout each summer.

Fortunately, these hail events typically impact small areas, minimizing the extent of damage across the region.

In the northeastern Colorado unveils a different narrative, where hailstones as large as 4.5 inches in diameter have been witnessed, capable of inflicting significant and incredible damage to residential and commercial properties.

These colossal hailstones have been known to puncture roofs, windows, sidings, vehicles - leaving a trail of destruction in their rage.

Conversely, the high Colorado mountains paint a contrasting picture, as hail frequents these elevated regions during the summer months.

In this landscape, hailstones are characterized by their small and soft nature, seldom causing damage due to their small size and composition.

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