Hail history for Watonwan County, MN

Watonwan County has 100 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 64 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on September 10, 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 100 since 1962

1″ or larger 64 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · September 10, 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 Watonwan County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 100 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 13, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 13, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 13, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 13, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 13, 2026	2.5″	Tennis ball
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 13, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg

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

From the storm reports

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

August 11, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

There was also a report of power out in Odin.

July 19, 2006 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail occurred on the west side of town along St. James Lake. As reported by St. James Plain Dealer newspaper.

June 22, 1997 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

15,000 acres damaged by hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	8	7	26	24	17	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 Watonwan County

Has it ever hailed in Watonwan County?

Yes — 100 hail events have been recorded for Watonwan County, MN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1962, including 64 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Watonwan County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Watonwan County, MN is April 13, 2026, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Watonwan County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on September 10, 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.