Hail in Chico, CA
NOAA radar has confirmed 3 hail events of 1 inch or larger in Chico since 2025, the largest 1″ (quarter) on April 12, 2026. The most recent confirmed hail was April 12, 2026.
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About Chico, CA
Chico sits at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where mild, often stable air makes hail rare. The few events tend to accompany cool, showery storms in the wetter months rather than the warm-season thunderstorms common farther east. The Beale AFB (KBBX) radar provides coverage from about 21 miles to the southeast.
The hail record for Chico, CA
This year has run hot: 2 confirmed events in 2026 already, ahead of the recent pace.
The hail clusters in April; the rest of the year is comparatively quiet.
Chico is no Plains hot spot, but the storms that do reach it have still dropped hail up to 1″.
Common questions
How often does it hail in Chico?
NOAA radar has confirmed 3 severe hail events (1 inch or larger) in the Chico area since 2025.
When is hail season in Chico?
Hail in Chico is concentrated in April, within a season that runs spring into early summer.
What's the largest hail recorded in Chico?
Radar confirmed 1-inch hail, about quarter size, on April 12, 2026.
Does homeowner's insurance cover hail damage?
Hail is a covered peril under most standard homeowner's policies (typically HO-3), subject to your deductible. Whether you have replacement-cost or actual-cash-value coverage makes a big difference in what's paid out. Your declarations page will say which.
Is Chico's hail big enough to damage a roof?
It can be. Asphalt shingles can begin showing functional damage in the ¾-to-1-inch range, and Chico's confirmed hail reaches 1″. At these sizes damage is often hard to see from the ground, so whether it's a claimable loss depends on shingle type, age, and an inspection.
Is hail getting worse in Chico?
Nationally, the research on long-term hail trends is mixed. Better radar coverage since the 1990s makes real increases hard to separate from improved detection. In Chico, 2 confirmed events have been recorded in 2026 so far, but the tracked record is still short, so it isn't evidence of a lasting trend.
Did it hail in Chico in 2026?
Yes, 2 confirmed hail events so far in 2026, most recently April 12, 2026.
Recent confirmed hail near Chico, CA
What this means for your home
Damage can be invisible from the ground
At Chico's typical sizes, hail often bruises shingles and loosens granules without obvious holes, shortening roof life in ways that are easy to miss until the next storm or an inspection.
Document before you repair
If you suspect hail damage, photograph it and note the storm's date before making any repairs. Undocumented or already-fixed damage is much harder to claim later.
Know your hail deductible
Many policies in hail-prone states use a percentage deductible, often 1–2% of the home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home that can be $4,000–$8,000 out of pocket before coverage starts, so it's worth checking your declarations page before a storm.
Keep a 'before' record
Photos of your roof and exterior in good condition make new hail damage much easier to prove later. A few shots now, before the next storm, can save an argument with an adjuster over what's old wear and what's storm damage.
Claims have deadlines
Policies set a deadline for hail-damage claims, and state law may also apply. Windows range from months to several years depending on your state and policy. Knowing the exact date hail hit your address helps you file on time.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
An RCV policy pays to replace your roof at today's prices; an ACV policy subtracts depreciation for the roof's age, which can mean a much smaller check on an older roof. Knowing which you carry shapes what a hail claim is actually worth.
Before you call your insurer
Get the radar evidence for your address.
A NOAA Radar Evidence Report documents exactly what federal radar recorded at your address - hail size, date, and signature - in a formatted PDF you can attach to a claim. Built entirely from public NOAA data.
Events are NOAA/NWS Severe Thunderstorm Warnings with confirmed hail ≥ 1 inch, matched to this city by warning-area overlap. Federal public-domain data. A confirmed event indicates radar-detected hail over the area, not a guarantee of damage to any specific property.