Hail history for Rusk County, WI

Rusk County has 77 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 35 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on August 8, 2000.

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 77 since 1975

1″ or larger 35 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · August 8, 2000

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 Rusk County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 77 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 16, 2025	0.75″	Penny
September 21, 2024	0.75″	Penny
July 19, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 19, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 10, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 7, 2020 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

There was a swath of large hail, the largest was hen size northeast of Ladysmith that occurred from north of Bruce, east-southeast to Hawkins. Radar data, which kept the intensity throughout the storm that moved across Rusk County was used for timing and length.

August 8, 2000 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Golfball to baseball size hail throughout the city. Widespread windblown hail caused damage to windows, houses, vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	4	10	41	9	12

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 Rusk County

Has it ever hailed in Rusk County?

Yes — 77 hail events have been recorded for Rusk County, WI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1975, including 35 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rusk County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rusk County, WI is June 16, 2025, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Rusk County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on August 8, 2000. 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 Wisconsin hail history

All 72 Wisconsin 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.