Heads up! Small hail spotted in these regions: Sebring, FL • North Port, FL • Fayetteville, NC • Durham, NC • Champaign, IL • Charlotte, NC • Fort Myers, FL • Lakeland, FL • Mattoon, IL • Owensboro, KY • Evansville, IN • Knoxville, TN • Corpus Christi, TX      ATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for these regions: Farmington, NM • Louisville, KY • Winston, NC • Greensboro, NC • Rock Springs, WY • Provo, UT • Logan, UT • Ogden, UT • Salt Lake City, UT      
HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Merced County, CA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Merced County, CA from April 18, 1955 through April 21, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 93622 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
10
Wind Reports
10
Tornado Reports
18
Max Hail Size
1.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Merced County, CA · 1955–present Updated  Daily · last Apr 21, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Merced County

10 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
May 7, 2015
12:50 PM PST-8
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Facebook user submitted a picture of one inch hail next to coins.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Livingston, CA
1.75″ hail
Apr 12, 2012
5:05 PM PST-8
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: A trained spotter reported golf ball (1.75 inches) sized hail in Atwater. The hail accumulated several inches deep on area roads.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Atwater, CA
1.00″ hail
Apr 12, 2012
4:45 PM PST-8
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Trained spotters reported copious accumulating large hail just north of Merced.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Atwater, CA
0.50″ hail
May 20, 2002
4:40 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Locally heavy rain and small hail led to spotty damage within Merced County. More substantial agricultural damage occurred in neighboring Central Valley counties to the south (see other reports).
NWS Hail Report Location: Planada, CA
0.75″ hail
Apr 7, 2001
4:21 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SE Merced, CA
1.00″ hail
Oct 29, 2000
6:50 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 9 SE Merced Arpt, CA
0.25″ hail
Apr 17, 2000
5:30 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 11 WSW Santa Nella, CA
UNK hail
Apr 13, 1998
4:00 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: The time of convective activity was estimated in the late afternoon in Merced County. Small hail (less than 3/4") damaged many acres of strawberries between Atwater and Merced. Futher damage inflicted on stone fruits due to surface blemishes devaluing crop values.
NWS Hail Report Location: Atwater, CA
0.75″ hail
Mar 28, 1998
5:15 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Spotter report of 3/4" hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 S Merced, CA
1.00″ hail
Mar 28, 1998
4:25 PM PST
Hail report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Merced County Sheriff reports plus reports from truck drivers indicated that hail was large and deep enough to cause cars to slide off State Highway 99 just north of the Merced/Madera County line.
NWS Hail Report Location: SE Merced, CA
Showing 10 of 10
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in Merced County

10 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Apr 21, 2026
11:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Merced County OES reported property damage to a farm and house.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 WSW Atwater, CA
UNK mph
Apr 21, 2026
10:55 PM UTC
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Reports of many trees down and broken branches near Ballico and Cressey along Merced River bottom. Also some damage to vehicles due to the downed trees.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NE Livingston, CA
63 mph
Oct 29, 2007
5:25 PM PST-8
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The local newspaper reported at least 8 downed trees, observed by Public Works Crews. Some powerlines were also downed.
NWS Wind Report Location: N Cregan, CA
58 mph
Apr 1, 1996
2:55 PM PST
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 8 E Los Banos, CA
60 mph
Apr 1, 1996
2:45 PM PST
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SW Los Banos, CA
92 mph
Apr 1, 1996
2:45 PM PST
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: S Gustine, CA
69 mph
Apr 1, 1996
2:38 PM PST
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: W Los Banos, CA
UNK mph
Jun 15, 1995
6:13 PM PDT
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Based on doppler Radar indications a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Dos Palos Y, 17 miles south-southwest of Merced. Subsequent reports of three-quarters hail along with wind damage to power lines and trees were received. Affected crops included 55 percent loss on 6,300 acres of cotton, with damage to cantaloupe, corn, barley, and tomatoes.
NWS Wind Report Location: Dos Palos Y, CA
UNK mph
Jun 15, 1995
1:25 PM PDT
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Sheriff Department report of three-quarters hail in the City of Merced. Rainfall mostly within a one-hour period of time was 1.81 inches after 1325 PDT. Continued damage to valley agriculture likely but not specifically assessed to this storm (see Dos Palos Y below).
NWS Wind Report Location: Merced, CA
81 mph
Jul 6, 1957
7:00 PM CST
Wind report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, CA
Showing 10 of 10
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in Merced County

18 reports
UNK category
Apr 21, 2026
10:30 PM UTC
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: ***Date of event was 4/21... time corrected to 3:30 PM PDT*** Corrects previous tornado report from 3 WSW Atwater. NWS Hanford Storm Survey team found damage indicative of an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds at 110 mph. Video shows multiple large pieces of metal roofing material aloft. This material was twisted around a power line 100 feet above the residence. Several other large metal slats were found 400 yards away from the residence.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 WSW Atwater, CA
EF0 category
Feb 9, 2009
11:32 AM PST-8
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The Federal Aviation Administration office located in Oakland, CA, relayed a pilot report of a brief touchdown of a tornado 10 miles south of Merced Castle Airport. The tornado only last for a couple minutes and caused no property damage. The tornado was rated EF0. The pilot reported the tornado quickly lifted and dissipated. At the time of the report, the funnel had lifted and was dissipating. The touchdown occurred during a period of several funnel cloud reports over an area from Atwater to southeast of Merced Municipal Airport (KMCE).
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6.54 SW Merced Arpt, CA
F0 category
Mar 28, 2006
3:17 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NNW Merced Arpt, CA
F0 category
Mar 28, 2006
2:48 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A trained spotter noted a funnel cloud approaching the city of Merced and tracked the northward movement of that funnel. At 1448 PST the funnel removed half of the corrugated roof of a farm maintenance shop and lifted it up and over adjacent power lines to the north. Eyewitness accounts indicated rotation and movement of the lowest level clouds toward the NE approximately 0.19 miles. Other than two ground contact points, beginning and end of the damage track, there was no evidence of any other ground contact from the funnel. Analysis by a local structural engineer aided in the assignment of the F0 rating.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SE Merced, CA
F0 category
Mar 28, 2006
2:42 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 WSW Atwater, CA
F0 category
Apr 8, 2005
5:20 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: At Ballico, one larger funnel ran a course from northwest to southeast just west of the community of Ballico in Northern Merced County with a smaller funnel causing damage in a smaller path northeast of the main funnel in Ballico itself. The tornado was associated convection along pre- and post-trof wind shift line in the Central San Joaquin Valley during the early evening of the 8th.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 W Ballico, CA
F0 category
Dec 16, 2002
12:50 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 NE Merced Arpt, CA
F1 category
Dec 16, 2002
12:40 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 N Merced Arpt, CA
F0 category
Feb 14, 1998
1:25 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Storm spotter videotaped a very brief touchdown of a funnel from a wall cloud in rural Merced County. No damage occurred.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 E Los Banos, CA
F0 category
Nov 13, 1997
3:30 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: An F0 tornado developed as a severe thunderstorm was dissipating in rural, west Merced County just south of Los Banos. Damage was essentially limited to stored grain/fodder for cattle and some fences. Tornado was reported by several witnesses with its last point 3 miles farther south than its initial touchdown point. The path was from the NNW to SSE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: S Los Banos, CA
F1 category
Nov 22, 1996
1:50 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 NE Merced, CA
F0 category
Apr 1, 1996
3:45 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 12 S Merced, CA
F0 category
Mar 26, 1991
7:40 PM CST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CA
F0 category
Feb 19, 1986
2:30 PM PST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CA
F1 category
Mar 4, 1978
4:35 PM CST
Tornado report for Merced County, CA
Merced County · 66,364 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CA
Showing 15 of 18
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in Merced County on the Interactive Map

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Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Merced County

Los Banos, CA 7
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Merced, CA 7
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Atwater, CA 6
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Le Grand, CA 4
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Franklin, CA 2
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Livingston, CA 2
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Planada, CA 2
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Ballico, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Dos Palos Y, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
El Nido, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Gustine, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Hilmar-Irwin, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
McSwain, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Santa Nella, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports
University of California-Merced, CA 1
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Merced County, CA area census snapshot

People & households
Population285,597
Households84,605
Housing units89,610
Income
Median household income$65,044
$100k+ households36.4%
$150k+ households13.5%
Housing stock
Single-family detached66,364
Attached single-family1,471
Small multifamily11,032
Large multifamily4,637
Mobile homes5,994
Housing mix
Single-family share74.1%
Attached-home share1.6%
Multifamily share17.5%
Mobile-home share6.7%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied45,097
Renter-occupied39,508
Vacant units5,005
Home value & age
Median home value$368,400
Owner homes $300k+69.6%
Owner homes $500k+19.9%
Owner homes $750k+6.2%
Median year built1984
Older-home share44.1%
Vehicle context
Households with cars78,540
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Top ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Merced County

93622 13
Firebaugh, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
93610 9
Chowchilla, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
93635 6
Los Banos, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95301 5
Atwater, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95341 5
Merced, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95333 4
Le Grand, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95316 3
Denair, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95340 3
Merced, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95303 2
Ballico, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95348 2
Merced, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95369 2
Lake Don Pedro, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95380 2
Turlock, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
93620 1
Dos Palos Y, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95317 1
El Nido, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95322 1
Santa Nella, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95324 1
Hilmar-Irwin, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95334 1
Livingston, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports
95360 1
Newman, CA Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Merced County? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Merced County have on record?

Our records show 10 hail, 10 wind, and 18 tornado reports in Merced County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on April 21, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Merced County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Merced County is 1.75″. It was reported near N Atwater, CA on April 12, 2012.

A storm report showed up near my home in Merced County — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves Merced County and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in Merced County — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a Merced County address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in Merced County — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific Merced County address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Merced County — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events across Merced County, CA, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Merced County, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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