Hail history for Houghton County, MI

Houghton County has 78 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 39 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on March 6, 1992.

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 78 since 1971

1″ or larger 39 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · March 6, 1992

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 Houghton County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 78 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 5, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 10, 2021	0.88″	Nickel
June 10, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
August 21, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
August 9, 2020	0.75″	Penny
July 18, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
September 24, 2019	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 5, 2024 · 0.75″ (penny)

There was a social media report of hail in Hancock, the largest of which was penny sized.

July 20, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Most of the hail observed was between dime and quarter-sized, but a few stones were the size of golf balls. In addition...wind gusts were estimated around 40 mph.

July 8, 2007 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Trees stripped of leaves with some vehicle damage.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	5	5	2	32	27	7

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 Houghton County

Has it ever hailed in Houghton County?

Yes — 78 hail events have been recorded for Houghton County, MI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1971, including 39 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Houghton County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Houghton County, MI is June 5, 2024, 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 Houghton County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on March 6, 1992. 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.