Hail history for Steele County, ND

Steele County has 175 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 112 of them 1″ or larger and 12 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 17, 2001.

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 175 since 1971

1″ or larger 112 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 12 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 17, 2001

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 Steele County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 175 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 7, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 7, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 13, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 7, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 7, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 23, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 19, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 7, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Received a report of hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

June 27, 2015 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

The hail fell across the northwest side of Golden Lake. Some small tree branches were also blown down.

July 22, 2007 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

The largest hailstones ranged from 3 to 3.5 inches in diameter, with an 8 inch circumference.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	5	8	28	92	32	10

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 Steele County

Has it ever hailed in Steele County?

Yes — 175 hail events have been recorded for Steele County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1971, including 112 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Steele County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Steele County, ND is July 7, 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 Steele County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 17, 2001. 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.