Hail history for Nobles County, MN

Nobles County has 217 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 128 of them 1″ or larger and 16 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 6.0″ (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 217 since 1955

1″ or larger 128 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 16 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 6.0″ 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 Nobles County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 217 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 13, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 13, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 13, 2026	0.75″	Penny
August 6, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 2, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 28, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 28, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
August 29, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 20, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

July 13, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

June 5, 2008 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Large hail damaged crops, and broke windows on at least one home. The amount of crop damage and property damage was not known.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
5	2	4	9	40	86	44	27

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 Nobles County

Has it ever hailed in Nobles County?

Yes — 217 hail events have been recorded for Nobles County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 128 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Nobles County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Nobles County, MN is April 13, 2026, 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 Nobles County?

6.0″ (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.