When Is Hail Season in North Dakota?

Hail season in North Dakota runs from May through August, with the heaviest activity in June and July. Most damaging hail falls in the late afternoon and evening, as daytime heat feeds thunderstorms moving in from the west. Dodd Roofing and Exteriors works the Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace metro through every one of those months, and the pattern holds year after year.

Which months bring the most hail to the Fargo-Moorhead area?

June and July produce the most hail reports in eastern North Dakota, with May and August close behind. Storms can still drop hail into early September in a warm year, but by then the season is winding down. Cass County sits in a corridor where storms crossing the Red River Valley routinely produce stones from pea size to golf ball size, and larger stones show up several times in most summers.

What size hail actually damages a roof?

Roughly one inch, about the size of a quarter, is where asphalt shingles start to bruise. Smaller stones can still strip granules and dent soft metal such as gutters, downspouts, and window wraps, which is why a roof can look fine from the ground while the aluminum tells the real story. Our guide on what hail damage actually looks like shows the difference.

How do you find out if hail hit your address?

The National Weather Service keeps storm reports by date and county, and your insurer will pull a hail map for your exact address before assigning an adjuster. Those maps are radar estimates rather than measurements, so they miss storms and sometimes overstate them. A ground inspection is what settles it. Write down the date any time you hear hail on the windows, because a claim needs a date of loss.

When should you schedule a pre season roof inspection?

April and early May, before the first storms. A documented inspection showing your roof in sound condition ahead of the season is the strongest evidence you can bring to a summer claim, since it removes the wear and tear argument. If you missed the spring window, an inspection any time before freeze up still helps. We offer a free roof inspection in Fargo with photo documentation.

What should you do right after a hail storm?

Walk the property and photograph dents in gutters, downspouts, siding, window wraps, and air conditioner fins. Check for granules collected at the bottom of the downspouts. Then get a professional inspection before you call the carrier, so you know whether there is enough damage to justify a claim against your wind and hail deductible.

Who to call after hail in Fargo-Moorhead

Dodd Roofing and Exteriors inspects, documents, and repairs hail damage across Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace, and we meet your adjuster on site. Call (701) 831-0710 to schedule, or see our storm damage page for what the process looks like.

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