Hail history for Dakota County, MN

Dakota County has 310 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 205 of them 1″ or larger and 21 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on June 20, 2007.

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 310 since 1964

1″ or larger 205 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 21 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · June 20, 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 Dakota County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 310 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
September 21, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 21, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
September 21, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 15, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
August 15, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
August 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 27, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 17, 2026 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Photo measurement provided via Facebook.

June 17, 2021 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

The hailstone fell east of Stanton on Highway 19.

June 20, 2007 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail was reported to be the size of hockey pucks. Many houses and vehicles were damaged in and around Hastings. Damage amount reported by the Hastings Star-Gazette.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	5	4	16	36	81	94	74

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 Dakota County

Has it ever hailed in Dakota County?

Yes — 310 hail events have been recorded for Dakota County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1964, including 205 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Dakota County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Dakota County, MN is April 17, 2026, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 Dakota County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on June 20, 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.