Hail history for Ward County, ND

Ward County has 290 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 208 of them 1″ or larger and 25 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on September 20, 2019.

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 290 since 1957

1″ or larger 208 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 25 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · September 20, 2019

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 Ward County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 290 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 26, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 21, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
August 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 6, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 14, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 30, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail was accompanied by strong wind gusts to cause crop damage in the area.

September 20, 2019 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Vehicle windshields were broken. On homes, windows were broken and siding was damaged.

July 26, 2010 · 2.75″ (baseball)

This was the first of two waves of large hail to impact the community of Sawyer during this episode.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	8	15	39	99	89	35

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 Ward County

Has it ever hailed in Ward County?

Yes — 290 hail events have been recorded for Ward County, ND in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 208 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ward County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ward County, ND is July 26, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Ward County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on September 20, 2019. 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.