Hail history for Ontonagon County, MI

Ontonagon County has 54 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 22 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on September 12, 2011.

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 54 since 1980

1″ or larger 22 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · September 12, 2011

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 Ontonagon County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 54 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 18, 2022	1.25″	Half dollar
June 30, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
June 30, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 31, 2021	0.88″	Nickel
July 12, 2019	0.88″	Nickel
October 17, 2016	0.75″	Penny
August 21, 2013	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 18, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

One inch diameter hail reported in Ewen. The hail lasted 5-10 minutes.

April 18, 2002 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golfball sized hail was reported.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	2	6	29	12	5

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 Ontonagon County

Has it ever hailed in Ontonagon County?

Yes — 54 hail events have been recorded for Ontonagon County, MI in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1980, including 22 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Ontonagon County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Ontonagon County, MI is May 18, 2024, 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 Ontonagon County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on September 12, 2011. 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.