Granite Falls, MN Hail Storm – July 2026

A hail-producing storm moved through Granite Falls, Minnesota on July 7, 2026, producing 1.34-inch stones and prompting an NWS warning in the mid-afternoon. The event produced radar-detected hail echoes and a spotter-verified observation at a nearby service station.

What Happened

NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 2:53 PM CDT citing dual-polarization radar detection of significant hail within the warning area. Radar echoes maintained through the mid-afternoon as the cell tracked across the Granite Falls metro area into neighboring communities. A spotter at the Cenex Gas Station in Wood Lake reported roughly 0.7-inch diameter hail with several stones estimated near 1.0 inch at 3:10 PM CDT. Surface observations were otherwise sparse in the immediate area. The combination of radar-detected hail and a time-stamped spotter verification frames the event as a localized hail-producing cell that crossed populated points between Granite Falls and Wood Lake.

Damage Assessment

Local storm reports record impacts limited to the Cenex Gas Station in Wood Lake. Observers described mostly small to near-1-inch stones at the fuel station location; no NWS local storm reports listed roof damage, structural failures, or power outages for Granite Falls or Wood Lake tied to this storm. There are no verified reports of widespread vehicle fleets or large commercial roofing losses within the Granite Falls metro from the July 7 event. Any surface impacts are confined to the corridor noted in the spotter report and the radar-derived hail track through the warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections at the Cenex Gas Station in Wood Lake and along the most direct routes between Wood Lake and Granite Falls. Check vehicle lots, canopies, fuel pumps, and metal signage for chipped paint, small dents, and scuffed surfaces. Photograph and geotag visible dents and paint damage for claims documentation. For roofing and siding, focus on granular loss on composite shingles, dented metal flashing, and impact marks on skylights and vents. Note the mid-afternoon timing when documenting moisture on surfaces and preserve wet-condition photos when possible.

Establish a short triage run before full-scale mobilization. Confirm exact hail track with the StormSnipe Strike Map and cross-reference with the Cenex spotter location to limit travel and labor costs. Use mobile crews for rapid assessment; escalate to full repairs only where visual evidence shows penetrations or concealed damage under flashing. Confirm there are no active NWS alerts before sending teams into the field.

For precise radar-derived hail points and the detailed hail track through the Granite Falls warning area consult the Strike Map for this event.