Hail history for Wadena County, MN

Wadena County has 162 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 101 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on August 3, 2024.

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 162 since 1959

1″ or larger 101 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · August 3, 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 Wadena County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 162 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 3, 2024	4.0″	Softball
August 3, 2024	2.5″	Tennis ball
August 3, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
August 3, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 3, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
August 3, 2024	3.0″	Tea cup
August 3, 2024	4.0″	Softball
August 3, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

August 3, 2024 · 4.0″ (softball)

Facebook report of mostly baseball sized hail, with a few as large as softballs. No stones smaller than golf balls.

August 3, 2024 · 4.0″ (softball)

Public reports up to 4 inch hail. Mostly ping pong balls but the largest stones were up to softball sized.

August 3, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Via Facebook, public reports quarter sized hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	5	8	20	46	54	24

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 Wadena County

Has it ever hailed in Wadena County?

Yes — 162 hail events have been recorded for Wadena County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 101 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Wadena County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Wadena County, MN is August 3, 2024, with 4.0″ (softball) 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 Wadena County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on August 3, 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.