Brainerd, MN Hail Storm – May 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Brainerd, MN on May 26, 2026, producing stones up to 2 inches in diameter during the late afternoon and early evening. The event generated a sequence of NWS alerts and multiple radar hail cores across the Brainerd metro.

What Happened

The first NWS severe thunderstorm warning tied to this storm issued at 4:02 PM CDT for 1-inch hail as the storm entered the western metro. Dual-polarization radar returned a hail detection at 4:34 PM CDT tracking into central Brainerd. A spotter-verified radar conjunction at 5:24 PM CDT logged 1.17-inch hail within the warning area. NWS warnings continued through the period, with additional radar hail detections at 5:48 PM CDT and a larger dual-polarization core measured at 5:50 PM CDT that returned a 1.29-inch radar estimate. Later radar cores were measured at 6:16 PM CDT and 6:37 PM CDT with sizes near 1.1 inch.

A ground-truth report from an mPING observer at Half Dollar was received at 6:06 PM CDT and recorded 1.25-inch hail. The mPING observation falls between the 5:50 PM CDT radar core and the 6:16 PM CDT radar return. In total, the storm sequence produced eight NWS alerts spanning 4:02 PM to 6:37 PM CDT across the Brainerd metro. Radar-detected cores and the mPING observation align in time and location, indicating multiple periods of 1-inch-plus hail within the larger storm envelope.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar returns indicate localized surface impacts concentrated in and near the Brainerd metro, including the Half Dollar observation point. The mPING report documents marble-to-quarter sized stones at 6:06 PM CDT. Dual-polarization radar flagged multiple hail cores that passed over populated corridors of the metro between 4:30 PM and 6:40 PM CDT.

There were no additional local storm reports in the supplied ground-truth set beyond the Half Dollar submission. NWS warnings covered residential and commercial areas within the Brainerd warning area while radar cores moved through. Where the radar cores and the spotter observation overlap, expect concentrated impact on exposed surfaces and vehicles located outdoors at the time of passage.

Documented impacts in this storm should be tied to the specific times and locations of the radar cores and the mPING report. Use the 5:50 PM CDT radar core and the 6:06 PM CDT spotter observation as primary anchors when mapping likely damage lanes inside the NWS warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections for properties located along the radar cores that crossed the Brainerd metro between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM CDT, and for addresses reported inside the NWS warning area. Start with roof surfaces for impact bruising and loss of shingle granules. Asphalt shingle bruising and dented metal flashings are likely where vehicles or rooftop equipment were exposed during the 6:00 PM storm pulse.