Milwaukee hail storm history
Milwaukee County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Milwaukee, located in Milwaukee County at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, sits in a corridor where Great Plains storm systems tracking northeast regularly produce hail during the warm season. The city's position between the lake and the inland atmosphere creates conditions where both organized squall lines and isolated supercells can develop and intensify, making hail events a recurring hazard for homeowners in the area.
Check if your roof was damaged by recent hail
Hail in Milwaukee peaks from May through July, when atmospheric instability and storm system frequency are highest. April and August see secondary activity as spring and early autumn weather patterns transition. The lake-breeze front along Lake Michigan can locally strengthen convection during these months, increasing the likelihood that passing storm systems will produce hail over the city.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 247 recorded events, 40 (16%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Photograph provided.
Picture provided.
Photo provided.
Three quarter inch hail falling with estimated winds of 40 mph.
Photo provided on Facebook.
Dime to nickel sized hail covering the ground.
Photo of 1 inch diameter hail included in report.
A picture of the hail was provided on social media.
Hail with diameter of 0.50 TO 0.75 inches.
Pictures provided of the penny to nickel sized hail.
Three-quarter inch hail with 40 to 45 mph winds.
Wind driven, large hail observed. Winds estimated around 55 mph.
Dime size hail covering the ground.
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 ↗