Hail history for Big Stone County, MN

Big Stone County has 104 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 77 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 31, 2024.

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 104 since 1957

1″ or larger 77 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 31, 2024

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 Big Stone County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 104 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 31, 2024	3.0″	Tea cup
July 31, 2024	3.5″	Softball
July 31, 2024	4.0″	Softball
July 31, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 31, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 31, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 31, 2024	2.75″	Baseball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 27, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter was observed with a storm near the town of Johnson.

July 31, 2024 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail stones were estimated at 3 inches, resulting in blown out windows and damage to the roof at the residence. Windows on vehicles were also smashed.

July 18, 1994 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The combination of large hail and strong winds destroyed over 120,000 acres of crops. Estimated damage costs were up to $15 million across Big Stone County

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	3	4	2	18	23	32	20

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 Big Stone County

Has it ever hailed in Big Stone County?

Yes — 104 hail events have been recorded for Big Stone County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 77 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Big Stone County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Big Stone County, MN is July 27, 2025, 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 Big Stone County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 31, 2024. 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 Minnesota hail history

All 87 Minnesota 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.