Hail history for Benson County, ND

Benson County has 297 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 170 of them 1″ or larger and 17 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on August 6, 1994.

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 297 since 1967

1″ or larger 170 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 17 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · August 6, 1994

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 Benson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 297 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 12, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
September 12, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 9, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 22, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 22, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

September 12, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Social media report - Time estimated via radar. Handful of nickel to quarter sized hail with one larger stone of at least half dollar size.

July 9, 2016 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A lot of two inch diameter hailstones covered the ground, but a few larger hailstones were also found.

September 9, 2005 · 2.75″ (baseball)

A few golfball to baseball sized hailstones fell after the rain passed by.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	3	20	53	135	67	18

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 Benson County

Has it ever hailed in Benson County?

Yes — 297 hail events have been recorded for Benson County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1967, including 170 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Benson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Benson County, ND is September 12, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Benson County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on August 6, 1994. 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.