Hail history for Otter Tail County, MN

Otter Tail County has 458 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 282 of them 1″ or larger and 38 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 8, 2000.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 458 since 1956

1″ or larger 282 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 38 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 8, 2000

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Otter Tail County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Otter Tail County's peak: July.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 458 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 12, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 26, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 26, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
August 26, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 30, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 23, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 23, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Otter Tail County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

September 12, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Time estimated from radar.

August 9, 2005 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

The large hail smashed into homes, vehicles, and crops. One nursery was hit particularly hard, with greenhouses, plants, and a number of vehicles damaged.

August 8, 2005 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

The hail fell on the northwest edge of Fergus Falls.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
4	3	9	21	76	161	133	51

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Otter Tail County

Has it ever hailed in Otter Tail County?

Yes — 458 hail events have been recorded for Otter Tail County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 282 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Otter Tail County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Otter Tail County, MN is September 12, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Otter Tail County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 8, 2000. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Minnesota hail history

All 87 Minnesota counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.