Hail history for Lincoln County, MN

Lincoln County has 112 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 67 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 28, 1986.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

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 112 since 1980

1″ or larger 67 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 28, 1986

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 Lincoln County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 112 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 22, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 22, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
July 19, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
July 19, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 19, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 22, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail varied from dime to quarter size.

August 3, 2002 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail flattened corn crops. The amount of crop damage was not known.

July 28, 2002 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail caused damage to vehicles, windows, and crops. The amount of damage was not known.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	4	12	55	23	18

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 Lincoln County

Has it ever hailed in Lincoln County?

Yes — 112 hail events have been recorded for Lincoln County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1980, including 67 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lincoln County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lincoln County, MN is June 19, 2025, 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 Lincoln County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 28, 1986. 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.