Hail history for Leelanau County, MI

Leelanau County has 37 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 22 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on July 8, 2016.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 37 since 1998

1″ or larger 22 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · July 8, 2016

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 Leelanau County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 37 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 21, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
August 3, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
August 10, 2021	0.75″	Penny
April 10, 2017	0.88″	Nickel
July 8, 2016	3.0″	Tea cup
July 8, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
July 8, 2016	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 2, 2015	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 21, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Employees at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station in the Leelanau Peninsula, northwest of Traverse City, MI, reported hail up to the size of golf balls, leading to damage of some cherry and apple orchards in the area, impacting sale of some fresh market apples as processing apples instead.

July 8, 2016 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail to golfball-sized was reported in Empire, and up to three inches in diameter in Glen Arbor. Some vehicles were damaged, and a few homes lost windows and skylights. Considerable damage was done to orchards and vineyards in the area.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	1	20	13	3

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 Leelanau County

Has it ever hailed in Leelanau County?

Yes — 37 hail events have been recorded for Leelanau County, MI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1998, including 22 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Leelanau County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Leelanau County, MI is June 21, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf 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 Leelanau County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on July 8, 2016. 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.