Hail history for Clay County, MN

Clay County has 214 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 139 of them 1″ or larger and 20 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on September 21, 2007.

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 214 since 1959

1″ or larger 139 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 20 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · September 21, 2007

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 Clay County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 214 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 28, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 28, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
September 29, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
August 8, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
July 13, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
July 13, 2023	2.75″	Baseball
July 7, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 5, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

June 28, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Hail reported via ice-chip research team.

July 13, 2023 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Property damage with multiple hail pictures suggesting 3 inches or larger possible, based on visual estimates.

September 21, 2007 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

The large hail left small 3 inch craters on lawns. Many vehicles and homes were damaged.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	5	11	18	34	79	52	14

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 Clay County

Has it ever hailed in Clay County?

Yes — 214 hail events have been recorded for Clay County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 139 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Clay County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Clay County, MN is June 28, 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 Clay County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on September 21, 2007. 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.