What 388 Recent NOAA Hail Reports Tell Us About Summer 2026

This snapshot covers July 1 through July 14, 2026 — the first two weeks of July — based on NOAA Local Storm Reports as of July 14, 2026. In those 14 days, the database recorded 388 reports of hail at 1.0 inch or larger. That threshold — the National Weather Service definition of severe hail — is the baseline our system uses to flag areas where roof damage is possible and contractor demand is likely to rise.

The Numbers at a Glance

Of the 388 reports, 81 reached or exceeded 1.75 inches — golf-ball size. At that threshold, the probability of functional roof damage increases substantially, particularly on asphalt shingle roofs. The average hail size across all 388 reports was 1.32 inches, and the largest single report in the period measured 3.50 inches — a size that can breach metal roofing, crack tiles, and granule-strip shingles down to the mat.

Top States by Report Count (July 1–14, 2026)

Where the Plains and Upper Midwest Stand

The pattern in this two-week window is a northern and upper-Plains signature. South Dakota and Nebraska leading the count, with Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa in the top tier, reflects a storm track that has been running along and east of the Missouri River corridor. Wisconsin's appearance at third place is notable — it is not typically among the top hail states nationally, and its presence here suggests an active upper-Midwest pattern that will be worth monitoring as July progresses.

Our four core target states — Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas — combined for 69 of the 388 reports, or roughly 18 percent of the national total in this period. Kansas accounted for 28 of those, Texas 27, and the remaining 14 fell across Oklahoma and Arkansas. These numbers are below what the southern Plains would show in a peak spring week, which is consistent with July's storm track shifting northward.

What This Means for Roofing Activity

Hail reports lag actual contractor demand by days to weeks. A homeowner who experiences a 1.75-inch hail event on July 5 may not call a roofer until they spot interior water staining or a visible dent on a visible gutter section. The 81 golf-ball-plus reports from this period represent a real, if not yet fully surfaced, demand signal for contractors in South Dakota, Nebraska, and the northern Plains.

Frequently Asked Questions

How current is this storm report data?

This snapshot covers July 1–14, 2026, based on NOAA Local Storm Reports as of July 14, 2026. We do not retroactively update published posts as new reports come in, but we publish new snapshots regularly.

What does "1.75 inch" mean in practical terms?

1.75 inches is approximately the diameter of a golf ball. At this size, hail can cause functional damage to asphalt shingles, dent aluminum gutters and flashing, and break skylights. It is a meaningful threshold above the 1.0 inch NWS severe hail minimum.

Why is Wisconsin near the top of the list?

Wisconsin's high count in this two-week window reflects the upper-Midwest storm track active in early July 2026. Wisconsin does not typically rank near the top nationally over a full year, so its appearance here is an indicator of the specific seasonal pattern rather than a long-term structural trend.

How do storm reports translate into roofing demand?

Storm reports indicate where damaging hail fell. Actual contractor call volume follows days to weeks later as homeowners notice visible damage, receive insurance company prompts, or see their neighbors scheduling inspections. Golf-ball-plus events tend to generate faster demand response than borderline 1.0-inch events.