Hail history for Sawyer County, WI

Sawyer County has 171 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 102 of them 1″ or larger and 15 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on June 8, 1985.

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 171 since 1972

1″ or larger 102 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 15 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · June 8, 1985

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 Sawyer County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 171 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 17, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 17, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
June 21, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 20, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2023	0.88″	Nickel
July 10, 2023	0.75″	Penny
September 2, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 17, 2026 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Largest hail was half-dollar size with lots of smaller hail.

August 2, 2015 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Along with the 3 inch hailstone there were a few 2.5 hailstones and also numerous golf ball and dime sized hail.

April 18, 2004 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

There were numerous reports of broken windows and damage to vehicles. Golfball size hail fell at Northwoods Beach, Stone Lake, Whitefish lake, Reserve, and the Skunawong areas.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	6	12	29	92	31

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 Sawyer County

Has it ever hailed in Sawyer County?

Yes — 171 hail events have been recorded for Sawyer County, WI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1972, including 102 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Sawyer County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Sawyer County, WI is April 17, 2026, 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 Sawyer County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on June 8, 1985. 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.