Hail history for McKenzie County, ND

McKenzie County has 222 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 157 of them 1″ or larger and 20 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on September 4, 1996.

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 222 since 1963

1″ or larger 157 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 20 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · September 4, 1996

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 McKenzie County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 222 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 17, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 30, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 30, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
August 1, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 1, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
June 30, 2023	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

May 17, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The hail combined with wind to lay down five inch tall wheat, but most of it was expected to recover.

July 13, 2013 · 3.5″ (softball)

There were no reports of damage with this very large hail report.

August 18, 1995 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Softball-size hail reported by Department of Emergency Services. Eighty-five sections in NE McKenzie County affected with nearly $7 million damage to crops and buildings.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	3	2	23	35	41	94	24

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 McKenzie County

Has it ever hailed in McKenzie County?

Yes — 222 hail events have been recorded for McKenzie County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 157 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McKenzie County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McKenzie County, ND is May 17, 2024, 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 McKenzie County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on September 4, 1996. 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.