Hail history for Rice County, MN

Rice County has 179 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 123 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on July 13, 2024.

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 179 since 1958

1″ or larger 123 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · July 13, 2024

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 Rice County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 179 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 13, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 13, 2026	3.0″	Tea cup
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 13, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 13, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 13, 2026	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 12, 2022 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

There was a swath of large hail, up to ping pong size, that fell from near Dundas, northeast across the city of Northfield, and to the Dakota, Rice County line.

June 17, 2021 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail was reported east of Northfield. The trained spotter emailed the picture of the large hail stone.

August 24, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hundreds and possibly thousands of vehicles damaged; many had to be totaled. Significant damage to many buildings and houses. Two car dealerships lost their entire inventory. Buildings on the St. Olaf college campus suffered roof and window damage. Approximately 17,000 acres of crops destroyed in Rice County. Unofficial reports of softball size hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	8	14	17	55	45	37

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 Rice County

Has it ever hailed in Rice County?

Yes — 179 hail events have been recorded for Rice County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 123 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rice County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rice County, MN is April 17, 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 Rice County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on July 13, 2024. 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.