Dickinson, ND Hail Storm – August 2026

Dickinson, ND experienced a concluded hail-producing storm on August 30, 2026, with peak hail measured at 2.23 inches and a sequence of 12 NWS alerts across the metro.

What Happened

The storm developed in the late afternoon and tracked through the Dickinson metro in a pattern of recurrent warnings that extended into the early evening. The first radar-detected hail alert arrived around 3:39 PM CDT and reported roughly 1.2-inch hail on dual-polarization NEXRAD. A second radar alert followed near 3:47 PM CDT at about 1.07 inch. Multiple NWS warning-only alerts were issued between 4:05 PM and 4:50 PM CDT as the cell reintensified while moving across the city.

At 5:03 PM CDT, NEXRAD again indicated elevated hail cores near 1.25 inches. Additional radar-detected and NWS warning-only alerts continued later in the evening, including warnings issued around 7:41 PM CDT and just after 10:15 PM CDT. Two late warnings around 10:18 PM CDT and 10:54 PM CDT reported hail estimates of 0.75 inch. Two NWS warning entries recorded no hail reports while still covering portions of the warning area.

Overall the alert stream combined radar-detected hail signatures with traditional NWS warning-only messages. The pattern shows multiple hail cores passing over the Dickinson metro between mid-afternoon and late evening, with the strongest radar returns in the late afternoon window.

Damage Assessment

Reported hail sizes ranged from about 0.75 inch up to just over 2 inches. Hail in the smaller range is commonly associated with cosmetic damage to paint, outdoor equipment, and vegetation. Hail above 1.5 inches increases risk to vehicle panels, unprotected skylights, and older asphalt shingles.

Hail exceeding 2 inches can produce localized denting on metal surfaces, shingle fracture or granule loss on roofs, and damage to rooftop HVAC covers and satellite dishes. Given multiple passes indicated by the alert sequence, repeated impacts to the same area increase the chance of cumulative damage to roofing and siding. No public field reports of catastrophic structural collapse exist in the alert record for this event.

Insurers and municipal crews should prioritize documented inspection of vehicles parked outdoors, residential roofing aged 10 years or more, and exterior mechanical equipment on homes and light commercial buildings in the central and eastern portions of the Dickinson metro where the strongest radar returns were recorded.

What Contractors Should Know

Begin with a safety-first roof access plan. Use documented, time-stamped photos before any work. Photograph hail impacts alongside an object for scale and note the local alert timestamps when filing estimates. Prioritize tarping for leaks and temporary protection of exposed insulation and electrical equipment.

Estimate teams should inspect shingles for broken tabs, bruising, and granule loss. Check gutters, soffits, skylights, and HVAC covers for dents and perforations. Provide line-item estimates for single- and multiple-impact repairs, and include removal and replacement where hail has fractured shingle integrity. Coordinate with property owners on insurance documentation and provide clear, dated condition reports.