Makinen, MN Hail Storm – July 2026

Makinen, MN experienced a concluded hail event on July 17, 2026, producing a peak hail size of 1.81 inches and a sequence of radar-detected and NWS warning-only alerts. The event extended across multiple zones in the Makinen metro area during the afternoon and early evening.

What Happened

NWS issued 12 alerts for the event between 2:54 PM CDT and 8:40 PM CDT. Four of those alerts included dual-polarization radar hail estimates; eight were NWS warning only. The sequence began in the mid-afternoon. A radar-detected estimate at 2:54 PM CDT indicated 1.37-inch hail. Through late afternoon and early evening, NWS continued to append warning-only alerts with estimates primarily near 1.0 inch. Radar-detected updates resumed in the early evening with a 1.05-inch radar estimate at 6:49 PM CDT, a 1.6-inch radar estimate at 7:27 PM CDT, and a 1.47-inch radar estimate at 8:40 PM CDT.

Alerts with radar-derived hail estimates are identified in this event record as radar-detected. Alerts issued without a concurrent radar hail signature are recorded as NWS warning only. The alert cluster covered multiple adjacent notification zones within the Makinen metro footprint and tracked eastward through the early evening hours.

Damage Assessment

Recorded hail estimates reported during the event ranged from 0.75 inch in several NWS warning-only alerts to radar-derived values above 1.5 inches in the early evening. Hail in the 1.5–2.0 inch range is large enough to crack automotive glass and cause localized failure of asphalt roofing shingles where impact points concentrate. Hail around 1.0–1.5 inches commonly dents unprotected vehicles, damages vinyl and aluminum siding, and loosens shingle granules. Hail under 1.0 inch typically produces cosmetic dents on metal surfaces and moderate shingle granule loss.

Inspections conducted after the event should prioritize vehicles parked outdoors in the path of radar-detected cells, south- and east-facing roof slopes that received the heaviest radar returns, and skylights or single-pane windows noted along the NWS warning corridor. Photographic documentation referencing the local alert times will assist in matching observed damage to the specific radar-detected pulses and warning periods.

What Contractors Should Know

Perform an immediate roof walk or drone survey to document shingle damage patterns, granule loss, and impact fractures. Start with properties inside the radar-detected swaths and those that received NWS warnings with estimates at or above 1.0 inch. For roofing systems, check for broken tabs, split shingles, and exposed felt, and prioritize temporary tarping only where active leaks are present. Record serial photos with time stamps and a brief note tying each photo to the nearest alert time.

Address vehicle and exterior repairs with a clear scope and photographic baseline. Advise property owners to avoid pressure washing loose granules before documenting claims. Schedule follow-up inspections for two to four weeks to identify delayed leaks or progressive shingle failure. Maintain safety protocols for ladder and drone operations during after-storm assessments and coordinate with local adjusters when presenting clustered damage from radar-detected cells and NWS warning periods.