Hail history for Barnes County, ND

Barnes County has 331 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 209 of them 1″ or larger and 25 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on August 5, 1987.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 331 since 1957

1″ or larger 209 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 25 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · August 5, 1987

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 Barnes County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Barnes County's peak: June.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 331 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 26, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 21, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 10, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 26, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Spotter report of quarter size hail. Time estimated by radar.

June 8, 2021 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail up to the size of baseballs was reported by a former coop observer near Litchville.

August 31, 2002 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

The hail fell at Hobart Lake.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	3	9	54	55	112	67	30

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 Barnes County

Has it ever hailed in Barnes County?

Yes — 331 hail events have been recorded for Barnes County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 209 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Barnes County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Barnes County, ND is July 26, 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 Barnes County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on August 5, 1987. 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 North Dakota hail history

All 53 North Dakota 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.