New England, ND Hail Storm – September 2026

A severe hail storm moved through New England, North Dakota on September 23, 2026, producing a peak 3.41-inch stone in the early evening. The event produced multiple radar-detected hail signatures and a spotter-verified baseball-sized report southwest of South Heart.

What Happened

Dual-polarization radar detected a series of hail signatures across the New England, ND metro between 5:49 PM CDT and 7:15 PM CDT. NWS warning areas accompanied the radar returns. Specific radar detections recorded: 1.62 inches at 5:49 PM CDT, 1.09 inches at 6:24 PM CDT, 1.00 inch at 6:26 PM CDT, and 1.12 inches at 7:15 PM CDT. Radar returns showed a concentrated corridor of hail echoes moving through the local warning areas over a roughly 90-minute window.

A ground observer reported baseball-sized hail at 6:45 PM CDT southwest of South Heart; that observation was spotter-verified and recorded in local storm reports. The spotter account placed large stones along the southern edge of the metro warning area during the mid-evening period. Radar-detected signatures and the spotter-verified report together indicate the storm produced a mix of small to very large hail along its track.

Damage Assessment

Local storm reports contain no additional confirmed structural collapse or casualty notes beyond the spotter entry near South Heart. The verified baseball-sized observation is limited to a social-media-origin report documented by observers and tied to the southwest South Heart area at 6:45 PM CDT. Radar detections indicate the greatest hail intensity concentrated inside the NWS warning areas that traversed the New England metro between late afternoon and early evening.

Surface impacts should be expected where the spotter location and radar hail corridor intersect populated or exposed surfaces. The single spotter report identifies an area of likely heavy impact adjacent to South Heart. Public records for this event do not show a broad distribution of spotter-verified damage reports outside that area in the immediate aftermath.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections in the South Heart corridor first. Start with properties southwest of South Heart and then move inward along the NWS warning areas that were active between 5:49 PM CDT and 7:15 PM CDT. Work from the most exposed surfaces inward. Document locations with time-stamped photos and GPS or address information before any disturbance.

Assess hard-surface assets first. Baseball-sized hail (2.75 inches) is capable of denting metal, cracking skylights, and shearing soft roof components. On asphalt shingle roofs, check for bruising, granule loss, and broken tabs. Inspect solar panels for cracks and glass pitting where panels were in service within the radar hail corridor. Vehicles parked along the spotter-verified path should be inspected for dents and broken glass.