Elysian, MN Hail Storm – April 2025

What Happened

A severe hail storm moved through Elysian, Minnesota, on April 17, 2025, producing 1-inch hail and a radar plus spotter-verified alert at 4:33 PM CDT. The storm passed in the late afternoon, with field reports recorded around the same time window.

The warning area covered the Elysian metro as the storm crossed the region. Spotter reports came in at 4:19 PM CDT and 4:34 PM CDT, both noting small hail at 0.25 inch. Those reports bracket the main hail core and show how quickly the storm organized over the area.

A later ground report at 5:48 PM CDT described a snapped 12 to 15 inch tree branch on the southern side of Faribault Golf & Country Club, with the time estimated from radar. That report was mapped at 0.75 inch. The sequence points to a storm that produced light hail first, then heavier hail and localized tree impact as it moved through the area.

Damage Assessment

The field picture shows limited but real surface impact. Two early spotter reports from Elysian recorded only 0.25-inch hail, while the later report near Faribault Golf & Country Club noted a snapped tree branch in a more exposed setting. The damage was specific and localized. It was tied to a single branch failure rather than widespread tree loss or building damage.

The radar and spotter-verified alert at 4:33 PM CDT supports a narrow hail core within the warning area. The reports do not show a broad swath of severe hail across the metro. They show a short-lived storm with small hail at first, then a heavier burst that was enough to break a 12 to 15 inch branch on the southern side of the golf club property.

For roofing and exterior work, the practical issue is not large-scale destruction. It is the chance of isolated impact on soft metals, screens, vents, and tree cover in the direct path of the hail core. The storm's field reports point to a tight footprint, which usually means inspection targets are concentrated rather than spread across every block in the warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Crews working Elysian on April 17 should treat the storm as a short-duration hail event with a narrow impact corridor. Start with the properties closest to the reported spotter points and the path that crosses the southern side of Faribault Golf & Country Club. Check roof accessories, gutters, downspouts, and exposed trim first. The reports do not indicate major structural loss, but they do support targeted exterior checks.

Tree cover deserves attention in this event. A snapped branch in the 12 to 15 inch range suggests impact on limbs and canopy edges before obvious roof complaints surfaced. Look for limb strikes on homes, parked vehicles, and golf course structures. In storms like this, debris on turf and drive lanes often gives the first clue to where hail was most concentrated.

Use the warning area for outreach and scheduling. Use the reported hail times to narrow the canvass to the late afternoon window. The 4:19 PM CDT, 4:33 PM CDT, and 4:34 PM CDT reports give a tight timing band for field review. That helps separate this event from unrelated hail claims made later in the evening.

Elysian, MN Hail Storm – April 2025

NWS WARNING AREAS · 46

What Happened

Damage Assessment

What Contractors Should Know

Storm Details

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