Sterling hail storm history
Logan County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Sterling, located in Logan County, sits in the Eastern Plains hail corridor—one of the most active hail zones in North America. Over the past 10 years, Sterling has experienced 43 hail events of 1 inch or larger, with 25 of those classified as significant storms producing hail 1.5 inches or greater. The largest recorded hailstone in the area reached 3.1 inches, demonstrating the severe weather potential that regularly affects this region.
Hail activity in Sterling peaks during May, June, and July, with secondary risk periods in April and August. These storms are driven by spring and early summer storm systems that track northeast from the Rocky Mountains with high frequency through the growing season. Sterling residents experience an average of 4.3 hail events per year, making seasonal preparedness a practical necessity rather than an exceptional concern.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 225 recorded events, 105 (47%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Delayed report via CoCoRaHS observer.
Also more than an inch of rain in 45 minutes.
Report from mping.
Accumulating hail. Storm chaser reports of several inches of hail accumulated on the roads southwes…
Report from mping.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife employee reported golf ball sized hail at Prewitt Reservoir.
Half inch to one inch hail covering the ground.
A report of a broken window and damage to cars.
Most hailstones were smaller than one inch in diameter.
Also estimated 55 to 60 mph winds.
Chaser reported 1.25 inch hail.
Crop damage was observed near the intersection of county roads 46 and 37.
Significant agricultural damage was observed in a 4 mile by 4 mile swath.
Hail accumulated up to 2 inches deep on the ground.
The combination of large hail and heavy rain downed tree limbs.
Baseball size hail broke a car window.
In addition to large hail, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were observed.
Hail accumulated up to 3 inches in depth with significant damage to vegetation reported in Iliff and…
Extensive crop damage was observed in the area between Sterling and Iliff.
Large hail broke the window of a patrol car along Interstate 70 near Hillrose.
Strong thunderstorm winds and hail stripped vegetation in a garden and caused a power outage.
Hail, two inches in depth, covered the roadways.
Extensive crop damage observed as hail piled up to 4 inches in depth.
Hail event data for Sterling is sourced from NOAA Storm Data records and supplemented by the In-situ Collaborative Experiment for the Collection of Hail In the Plains (ICECHIP) network, which reports large hail observations in Logan County. These records provide reliable documentation of 1-inch-or-larger events but may undercount smaller storms that cause damage but fall below official reporting thresholds.
NOAA Storm Events Database source