Lake, MN Hail Storm – May 2026

Lake, MN experienced a concluded hail event on May 25, 2026, with peak stones reaching 1.76 inches and concentrated radar returns across the single report zone. The storm passed in the early evening and prompted an NWS warning for 1-inch hail.

What Happened

The storm moved through Lake in the early evening on May 25. The National Weather Service issued a warning for 1-inch hail at 8:28 PM CDT for the defined warning area. Dual-polarization radar returned high-reflectivity cores aligned with a single-zone swath over the metro area. The warning was NWS warning only in source attribution. The event is concluded and no active warnings remain for the zone.

Damage Assessment

Hail reaching 1.76 inches in diameter is consistent with visible denting to vehicle body panels and deformation of aluminum trim on residences in Lake. The NWS warning sized at 1 inch indicates a broader area of smaller but damaging stones across the warning area; that matches the radar pattern of a narrow, higher-intensity core within a wider hail field. Initial reports across the zone referenced dented sheet metal, chipped paint on exposed vehicles, and localized shingle granule loss on older asphalt roofs.

Inspectors should expect clustered damage along the radar-aligned swath rather than a uniform distribution across the entire warning area. Ground observations and photos from the early evening timeframe will be most useful for adjusting loss estimates. Note locations and times for each photographed damage instance to match to the radar-derived hail path.

What Contractors Should Know

Begin with a documented exterior survey. Capture high-resolution photos of vehicle panels, gutters, siding, HVAC units, and roofing from ground level and with binoculars or a drone where permitted. Record the address, time of inspection, and approximate hail diameter using a reference object in photos. Prioritize properties with exposed vehicles and south- to west-facing roof slopes that received the brunt of the radar-aligned core.

For roofing, look for granule loss, bruised asphalt tabs, and bent metal flashings consistent with near-1.75-inch impacts. Do not assume full replacement; quantify shingle degradation and obtain lift samples where allowed by policy. For vehicle and siding claims, measure and catalog dent locations and compare to insurer thresholds. Maintain a tight chain of custody for photos and signed statements from property owners taken soon after the early evening event.

For a precise hail track and paid damage-zone mapping, see the Strike Map product.