Rochester hail storm history
Olmsted County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Rochester, located in Olmsted County in southeast Minnesota, has experienced 3 hail events of 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years. The city sits in a transitional hail climate where the Driftless Area topography and proximity to the Iowa border create conditions favorable for hail development, though severe hailstorms remain infrequent compared to western Minnesota.
Hail in Rochester peaks during June and July, with secondary activity in May and August. Storms typically track northeast from the Plains or develop along lake-breeze fronts influenced by Lake Superior, bringing hail to the southeast Minnesota region during these months.
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.
Rochester's low event count reflects both genuine low frequency and NOAA reporting density in this part of Olmsted County. The largest recorded hail event in the county was 1 inch on August 28, 2025—a marginal damage threshold where granule loss is probable on aging roof shingles but structural damage is unlikely. Current-year data is excluded from the annual frequency table until October, when NOAA's Storm Events Database has processed the full hail season accounting for the standard 75-day reporting lag.
NOAA Storm Events Database source