Norwich, ND Hail Storm – June 2026

A hail-producing storm tracked through Norwich, ND on June 29, 2026, producing 2.89-inch hail and generating multiple radar-detected and spotter-verified impacts across the local metro.

What Happened

The event began in mid-afternoon and ran into the evening. NWS products flagged nine alerts tied to a single storm complex, with the first alert issued at 2:18 PM CDT and activity continuing into late evening. Early radar detection at 2:18 PM CDT indicated stones near 1.25 inches. A stronger radar pulse at 3:06 PM CDT showed larger returns consistent with 2.5-inch hail. NWS warnings were issued intermittently, including two warning-only notices in the early evening.

Spotter and observer reports tracked alongside the radar timeline. Around 3:38 PM CDT an observer noted 60 mph wind gusts concurrent with hail. Broadcast media relayed a photo around 3:40 PM CDT of a hailstone larger than a quarter taken about five miles south of Granville; the time was estimated by radar. At 4:00 PM CDT radar returns aligned with spotter verification for 2-inch hail. A US Air Force observer reported half-dollar-size hail near Max at 4:20 PM CDT and said hail fell for about 12 minutes with torrential rainfall. Two separate spotter-verified relays through broadcast media recorded large stones at 4:30 PM CDT in the Norwich/metro corridor.

Later alerts at 7:13 PM CDT, 7:15 PM CDT, and 10:32 PM CDT tracked weaker pulses with smaller stones as the system moved away. The overall picture is one of repeated convective pulses producing a focused hail swath across Norwich, Max, and points south of Granville.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar indicate concentrated surface impacts in and around Norwich, extending toward Max and five miles south of Granville. Two spotter-verified relays at 4:30 PM CDT identified large stones in the Norwich metro corridor. The US Air Force observer near Max reported sustained hail for roughly 12 minutes and torrential rainfall at 4:20 PM CDT. The broadcast-media photo five miles south of Granville was time-linked to the radar estimate at about 3:40 PM CDT. A separate spotter noted 60 mph wind gusts at 3:38 PM CDT, which coincided with one of the stronger hail pulses.

Observed impacts to surfaces should be expected where these reports cluster. Reports came from live observers and were relayed through broadcast channels, indicating direct visual confirmation at those locations. Radar-detected pulses earlier in the afternoon and a radar-plus-spotter verification at 4:00 PM CDT support a concentrated swath rather than a uniformly affected county. Torrential rainfall noted by the Max observer increases the likelihood of water intrusion and secondary yard or structural issues in the same areas where hail accumulated.

There are no widespread, spotter-verified damage reports beyond the listed observer inputs. Damage assessments should start at the reported coordinates and follow the pattern of repeated pulses identified by radar and spotters.