October 5, 2010 - Largest Hail Recorded in Phoenix

October 5, 2010 Hailstorms in Phoenix
Updated: 7:45 PM Oct. 18, 2010

loop of a hail storm moving across Phoenix

Strong, veering winds with height and an unstable airmass, both due to an approaching low pressure system, caused many supercell thunderstorms to develop across central Arizona during the morning and afternoon hours on October 5, 2010. Several of these supercells tracked over the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, dropping large hail and causing extensive damage.

How does the hail that fell on October 5th compare to past hail storms? Since 1950, the largest hail stone to fall in Arizona was 4.5" in diameter. This occurred near Mayer, AZ on September 28, 1995. The ten largest hail stones to fall in the state are listed in the table below.

Rank	Size	Date	Location
1	4.50"	09/28/1995	Yavapai (Mayer)
2	4.00"	03/12/1958	Graham (E of Safford)
3	3.00"	08/28/2002	Pima (Tucson)
	3.00"	07/20/1998	Coconino (SE of Flagstaff)
	3.00"	06/13/1955	Gila (NW of Payson)
6	2.75"	08/15/2003	Yavapai (Black Canyon City)
	2.75"	09/15/1999	Yavapai (NE of Prescott)
	2.75"	09/28/1995	Pima (Aravica)
	2.75"	07/25/1990	Maricopa (Nr Cave Creek)
10	2.50"	10/05/2010	Maricopa (Scottsdale)
	2.50"	10/02/1984	Gila (Nr Globe)
	2.50"	09/17/1971	Gile (SE of Payson)