Burlington, ND Hail Storm – June 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Burlington, ND late on June 28 into the early hours of June 29, 2026, producing stones up to 3.52 inches and remaining active overnight.

What Happened

NWS issued 18 alerts for the Burlington metro between 5:32 PM CDT on June 28 and 2:53 AM CDT on June 29. Alerts alternated between NWS warning-only notifications and radar-detected hail signatures from dual-polarization radar. Dual-polarization returns included a large-hail signature at 9:50 PM CDT and additional radar-detected 1.75-inch to 2.2-inch signatures later in the night. NWS warning-only notices reported multiple 1.5- to 2.5-inch hail events after midnight.

Observed surface reports arrived during the early evening. At 7:42 PM CDT a spotter reported 1.5-inch hail north of New Salem, noting sizes ranging from dime to ping-pong and no accompanying rain or wind. At 8:42 PM CDT a trained spotter reported hail up to half-dollar size along with gusty wind and approximately 0.35 inches of rain. At 8:54 PM CDT Riverdale received quarter-sized hail, per a spotter report. The storm system is continuing to track through the region and is producing intermittent large-hail radar signatures.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar detections concentrate surface impact north of New Salem and in the Riverdale area, with additional radar signatures shifting eastward through the Burlington metro after midnight. Spotters recorded measurable hail and localized gusts. The trained spotter who reported half-dollar-size hail also recorded about 0.35 inches of rain and gusty wind at the time of the observation.

Local Storm Reports filed during the evening list hail sizes and locations but do not include documented structural collapses or widespread roof failures. Vehicle denting, broken skylights, and soft-material impacts are most likely in areas where spotters reported larger stones and where radar indicated the strongest signatures. Photographic or video documentation from the 7:42 PM CDT and 8:42 PM CDT reports will be critical for adjusting loss estimates in those specific neighborhoods.

What Contractors Should Know

Start inspections in the chronological order of verified spotter observations. Prioritize north of New Salem, then Riverdale, then areas east of Burlington where radar returns intensified after 10:00 PM CDT. Use time-stamped photos tied to GPS coordinates. Note the 7:42 PM CDT and 8:42 PM CDT spotter locations on work orders. Log hail diameter measurements and vehicle dent counts on the first pass.

On roofs, inspect asphalt shingle granule loss, denting on metal flashings, and cracked or punctured skylights. For vehicles, check roofs, hoods, trunks, and windshields for pitting and micro-cracks. Record all findings with close-up photos and a wide shot showing the structure and street signs to preserve location context. Where gusty wind was reported alongside hail, check for displaced siding panels and broken trim.