Hail history for Isabella County, MI

Isabella County has 50 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 35 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on October 4, 2006.

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 50 since 1959

1″ or larger 35 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · October 4, 2006

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 Isabella County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 50 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 7, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
September 10, 2019	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 20, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
April 29, 2014	1.25″	Half dollar
July 25, 2012	0.75″	Penny
July 4, 2012	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 4, 2012	1.0″	Quarter
March 15, 2012	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

April 7, 2020 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The public reported one inch diameter hail near Sheperd.

September 3, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

An Isabella county official reported 1.75 inch diameter hail two miles east of Winn.

October 4, 2006 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Two inch diameter hail was reported three miles east southeast of Shepherd.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	3	3	12	16	13	1

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 Isabella County

Has it ever hailed in Isabella County?

Yes — 50 hail events have been recorded for Isabella County, MI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 35 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Isabella County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Isabella County, MI is April 7, 2020, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Isabella County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on October 4, 2006. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.