Rochester hail storm history
Olmsted County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Rochester lies in Olmsted County in southeast Minnesota, where the Driftless Area's rolling topography and proximity to the Iowa border create a transitional hail climate between the Great Plains and the Upper Midwest. This geographic position makes Rochester susceptible to hailstorms that track northeast from the Plains or develop along atmospheric boundaries influenced by Lake Superior.
Check if your roof was damaged by recent hail
Hail risk in Rochester peaks during June and July, when atmospheric instability and wind shear align to favor severe thunderstorm development. Secondary activity occurs in May and August. Storms typically track northeast from the Plains or organize along lake-breeze fronts, making the June-July corridor the most damaging period for roofs and vehicles in the area.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 242 recorded events, 51 (21%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Broadcaster media reported quarter sized hail 5 miles north-northwest of Stewartville.
The public reported dime sized hail 1 mile south of Spring Valley. The report was relayed via mPING.
The public reported quarter sized hail 1 mile southwest of Chatfield.
The public reported quarter sized hail 3 miles east-northeast of Rochester. The report was relayed v…
The public reported quarter sized hail 2 miles east-northeast of Marion. The report was relayed via …
The public reported quarter sized hail in Mazeppa.
Law enforcement reported nickel sized hail in Plainview, Minnesota.
A trained spotter reported half dollar sized hail 3 miles south of Berne, Minnesota.
There were several reports of quarter to half dollar sized hail in Kenyon.
The public reported golf ball sized hail in the town of Plainview.
The public reported dime sized hail near Kasson.
The public reported quarter sized hail.
The public reported half dollar sized hail near Rock Dell.
State officials reported quarter sized hail 4 miles north of Hayfield. Reported that hail was coveri…
A volunteer observer reported penny size hail in Rochester.
Trained spotter reported quarter sized hail near Rochester.
Public reported half dollar sized hail near Rice Lake.
Public reported ping pong ball sized hail near Grand Meadow.
Public reported half dollar sized hail near Oronoco.
Public reported hen egg to tea cup sized hail near Altura resulted in damage to houses and cars.
Volunteer observers reported penny sized hail in Hammond on the evening of May 6th.
Nickel to quarter sized hail was reported near St. Charles.
Quarter sized hail fell west of Oronoco.
Hail ranging from the size of a quarter up to a golf ball fell in Grand Meadow.
Up to quarter sized hail fell in Fountain.
Ping pong sized hail fell east of Rochester. Several cars were damaged by the hail.
Golf ball sized hail was reported west of Oronoco.
Quarter sized hail was reported north of Oak Center.
Quarter sized hail fell near Ostrander.
Quarter sized hail fell north of Racine.
Quarter sized hail fell on the north side of Rochester.
Quarter sized hail was reported north of Eyota.
Hail up to two inches in diameter fell west of Kellogg.
Quarter sized hail was reported west of Zumbro Falls.
Quarter sized hail was reported near Mantorville.
Quarter sized hail was reported south of Altura.
Quarter sized hail fell east of Stewartville.
Quarter sized hail fell north of Lansing.
Quarter sized hail was reported near Elgin.
Half dollar sized hail fell east of Grand Meadow near the Fillmore County line.
Quarter sized hail was reported in Kasson.
Quarter sized hail fell west of Preston.
Quarter sized hail was reported in Concord.
Quarter sized hail fell in the Whitewater State Park.
Between quarter and golfball sized hail was reported east of Rochester.
Quarter sized hail was reported in Chatfield.
Up to walnut sized hail fell in Mazeppa.
Quarter sized hail was reported on the north side of Rochester.
Quarter sized hail fell south of Plainview.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database. Publication lag is approximately 75 days — current-year events may be incomplete.
NOAA Storm Events Database ↗