Hail history for Arenac County, MI

Arenac County has 45 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 28 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on September 26, 1998.

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 45 since 1977

1″ or larger 28 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · September 26, 1998

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 Arenac County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 45 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 8, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 23, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
September 21, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
May 11, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
July 8, 2016	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 2, 2015	1.75″	Golf ball
August 2, 2015	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 30, 2013	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 8, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Social media report relayed by WFO GRR.

August 23, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Report on social media showing 2 inch hail stones.

September 26, 1998 · 3.5″ (softball)

Large hail damaged crops and injured some livestock at area farms. Some trees were nearly stripped of leaves. Several homes suffered damage to siding...roofs and broken windows. Several satellite dishes were also destroyed. Cars and campers were dented to varying degrees with many broken windows.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	0	19	12	9	4

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 Arenac County

Has it ever hailed in Arenac County?

Yes — 45 hail events have been recorded for Arenac County, MI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1977, including 28 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Arenac County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Arenac County, MI is July 8, 2024, 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 Arenac County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on September 26, 1998. 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 Michigan hail history

All 83 Michigan 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.