Linton, ND Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm moved through Linton, ND beginning the evening of August 8 and into the pre-dawn hours of August 9, 2026, producing stones up to 2.65 inches and triggering a series of NWS alerts. The event generated 15 alerts spanning 7:23 PM CDT on August 8 to 4:12 AM CDT on August 9 and included multiple radar-detected and spotter-verified observations.

What Happened

Dual-polarization radar first detected hail signatures near Linton at 7:23 PM CDT on August 8, with initial returns consistent with roughly 1-inch stones. The radar signal intensified through the evening, with 1.5-inch returns at 7:53 PM CDT and a 2.28-inch radar detection at 8:28 PM CDT. An NWS warning-only alert was issued at 8:34 PM CDT for a separate warning area. Radar-identified hail continued intermittently late evening and into the overnight period. A radar-plus-spotter verified report was recorded at 12:31 AM CDT on August 9, and subsequent radar returns between 11:57 PM and 2:25 AM CDT again exhibited signatures above 2 inches.

Local spotters relayed three ground observations via social media. Two spotter reports relayed through Facebook at 12:10 AM CDT documented 1-inch hail in the Linton vicinity. A third spotter report, noted at 1:54 AM CDT, also described 1-inch stones with time estimated. The sequence of NWS alerts and the spotter messages show a shifting corridor of hail signatures that crossed the municipal area and extended into rural sections to the west and northwest of town.

Damage Assessment

Field reports indicate localized surface impacts concentrated within and just outside Linton. The three spotter-verified 1-inch observations were all reported from locations inside the broader warning area near the town center between 12:10 AM CDT and 1:54 AM CDT. Dual-polarization radar returns show a larger hail swath tracking west-to-northwest of the town during the overnight hours, where returns exceeded 2 inches on multiple passes.

No widespread, spotter-verified structural failures were reported in the local storm reports. The combination of 1-inch surface reports inside Linton and larger radar signatures along the periphery suggests a mixed-impact area. Inspectors should note the timing of spotter reports when matching observed dents or broken glazing to this event. Reported impacts concentrate on addresses inside the NWS warning area issued for the storm; damage outside that polygon was not reported in the ground-truth dataset available for this event.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs, vehicles, and exposed equipment in Linton and properties west and northwest of town first. Prioritize areas where spotters recorded 1-inch hail near the municipal center at 12:10 AM CDT and where radar returns later indicated stones above 2 inches. On metal roofs check for lineal dent patterns and edge deformation. On asphalt shingles document granule loss and distinguish impact bruising from age-related wear. Photograph roofs and vehicles with a measurable scale and GPS coordinates. Record inspection times and reference the spotter timestamps when assembling documentation.