Hail history for Nicollet County, MN

Nicollet County has 110 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 74 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on March 29, 1998.

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 110 since 1956

1″ or larger 74 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · March 29, 1998

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 Nicollet County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 110 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 13, 2026	2.75″	Baseball
April 13, 2026	2.5″	Tennis ball
April 13, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
August 27, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 27, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 21, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 21, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 21, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Quarter to golf ball sized hail.

June 25, 2010 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Softball size hail was reported near the intersection of Highway 4, and County Road 5.

July 13, 1997 · 4.0″ (softball)

Crop damage.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	5	2	2	29	29	25	17

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 Nicollet County

Has it ever hailed in Nicollet County?

Yes — 110 hail events have been recorded for Nicollet County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 74 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Nicollet County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Nicollet County, MN is April 13, 2026, with 2.75″ (baseball) 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 Nicollet County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on March 29, 1998. 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.