Hail history for McLean County, ND

McLean County has 277 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 192 of them 1″ or larger and 19 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on August 6, 1982.

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 277 since 1955

1″ or larger 192 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 19 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · August 6, 1982

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 McLean County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 277 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 27, 2025	1.86″	Golf ball
June 27, 2025	2.4″	Tennis ball
June 27, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 27, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
June 27, 2025	2.5″	Tennis ball
June 27, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
September 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 29, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 29, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The hail combined with strong thunderstorm winds to produce damage a corn field.

June 26, 2009 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Residents of rural Turtle Lake reported window damage to homes and vehicles from the large hail.

July 30, 2008 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Very large hail up to tennis ball size damaged skylights on a home and caused other damage.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	6	13	25	25	113	57	37

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 McLean County

Has it ever hailed in McLean County?

Yes — 277 hail events have been recorded for McLean County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 192 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McLean County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McLean County, ND is June 27, 2025, with 1.86″ (golf ball) 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 McLean County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on August 6, 1982. 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.