Hi folks! Stay ahead of the storm with a 48-hour severe weather outlook, precise hail alerts, and live hail tracking. Access hail insights, historical hail maps, and detailed reports across 300+ regions for better planning and fewer "uh-oh" moments. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay protected - all completely free.      
HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports on May 15, 1998

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States on May 15, 1998 from May 15, 1998 through May 15, 1998, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Pick any date to see hail, wind and tornado public reports for that day — e.g. September 19, 2026.
Hail Reports
81
Wind Reports
454
Tornado Reports
31
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · May 15, 1998 · 1998–present Updated  Daily · last May 15, 1998

NWS Hail Reports on May 15, 1998

81 reports
Free hail report for your home →
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
10:35 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Marinette County · 23,369 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Goodman, WI
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
8:33 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Cook County · 5,297 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Grand Marais, MN
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
8:30 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Dane County · 129,925 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mt Horeb, WI
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
8:05 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Lafayette County · 6,078 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Darlington, WI
1.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
7:55 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Marathon County · 45,449 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mosinee, WI
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
7:22 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Price County · 8,924 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Prentice, WI
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
6:45 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
St. Louis County · 77,023 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Hibbing, MN
3.00″ hail
May 15, 1998
6:23 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Koochiching County · 6,079 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: International Falls, MN
1.00″ hail
May 15, 1998
6:08 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Jackson County · 7,609 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NW Maquoketa, IA
1.00″ hail
May 15, 1998
5:55 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Chippewa County · 21,965 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Trees also blown down.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 E Chippewa Falls, WI
1.00″ hail
May 15, 1998
5:38 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Eau Claire County · 28,615 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 S Eau Claire, WI
1.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
5:30 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Fayette County · 7,962 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: West Union, IA
1.50″ hail
May 15, 1998
4:27 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Washington County · 7,612 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Brighton, IA
0.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
4:06 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Anoka County · 97,015 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Linwood, MN
1.75″ hail
May 15, 1998
4:06 PM CST
Hail report for May 15, 1998
Washington County · 72,393 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Scattered house and vehicle damage from wind driven hail. Damage estimate for entire county.
NWS Hail Report Location: Forest Lake, MN
Showing 15 of 81
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

NWS Wind Reports on May 15, 1998

454 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
70 mph
May 15, 1998
11:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Ellsworth County · 2,568 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The remaining 50 feet of the metal frame of a hospital under construction were blown down. (This was the same hospital that sustained extensive damage from the severe thunderstorm event of 05/11/98.)
NWS Wind Report Location: Ellsworth, KS
60 mph
May 15, 1998
10:22 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Forest County · 7,469 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Crandon, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
10:20 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Calumet County · 17,226 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NE New Holstein, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
10:15 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Calumet County · 17,226 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: New Holstein, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
10:00 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Outagamie County · 56,809 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Kaukauna, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:53 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Outagamie County · 56,809 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Appleton, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:50 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Calumet County · 17,226 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 N Stockbridge, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:45 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Walworth County · 37,604 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: La Grange, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:45 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Walworth County · 37,604 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SE Lake Geneva, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:45 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Waukesha County · 120,477 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Muskego, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:45 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Winnebago County · 50,790 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 10 N Oshkosh, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:40 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Walworth County · 37,604 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Elkhorn, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:40 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Walworth County · 37,604 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 W Sharon, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:33 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Dodge County · 27,245 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Juneau, WI
UNK mph
May 15, 1998
9:30 PM CST
Wind report for May 15, 1998
Waukesha County · 120,477 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Eagle, WI
Showing 15 of 454
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

NWS Tornado Reports on May 15, 1998

31 reports
F0 category
May 15, 1998
7:05 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Fulton County · 13,850 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado touched down one mile southwest of Bryant. It blew down 4 large trees, one of which fell onto a house causing minor damage. A barn sustained minor damage, a shed was destroyed, and a swingset was thrown 150 feet. Also, a john boat was picked up and tossed into a hay rake, damaging both. No injuries were reported and damage was estimated around $4,000.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SW Bryant, IL
F0 category
May 15, 1998
6:55 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Henry County · 19,389 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Brief tornado downed powerlines and damaged rooftops in Galva.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Galva, IL
F2 category
May 15, 1998
6:45 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Lafayette County · 6,078 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A supercell thunderstorm, after dropping a couple tornadoes in northeast Iowa, eventually moved northeast into Lafayette county, creating another tornado. This tornado touched down just southwest of Benton and hopped/skipped northeast for 20 miles. It caused moderate to severe damage to 40 different farms and their outbuildings, and homes. Numerous power lines were downed. Eleven people were injured: 2 children near Cuba city, 3 children southwest of Truman, and 6 adults in a vehicle on Highway 81 south of Benton. Several farm fields sustained damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Benton, WI
F0 category
May 15, 1998
6:40 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
La Crosse County · 31,916 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W West Salem, WI
F0 category
May 15, 1998
6:10 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Dubuque County · 30,447 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 7 SW Dubuque, IA
F0 category
May 15, 1998
5:30 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Jones County · 7,163 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SSW Onslow, IA
F3 category
May 15, 1998
5:06 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Cedar County · 6,845 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Downey, IA
F1 category
May 15, 1998
5:05 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Dunn County · 12,317 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Chemical fertilizer plant northwest of Elk Mound sustained most of the severe damage. One house and a mobile home near Elk Mound were also destroyed. 7 other homes damaged. One man injured by flying glass.
NWS Tornado Report Location: S Meridean, WI
F3 category
May 15, 1998
4:54 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Pepin County · 3,047 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado touched down in northern Buffalo County, and continued on ground for 9 miles into eastern Pepin County. Two homes were destroyed in Pepin County. House collapse injured 6 family members. Trailer home also damaged. Tornado rated F3 for a brief time east of Durand, however most of its damage track rated F1.
NWS Tornado Report Location: ESE Durand, WI
F0 category
May 15, 1998
4:50 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Buffalo County · 5,355 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W Mondovi, WI
F3 category
May 15, 1998
4:24 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Johnson County · 32,661 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SE Hills, IA
F3 category
May 15, 1998
4:05 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Washington County · 7,612 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Washington, IA
F1 category
May 15, 1998
4:00 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Olmsted County · 45,014 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NW Eyota, MN
F1 category
May 15, 1998
3:50 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Anoka County · 97,015 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: See narrative for Ramsey County.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Lino Lakes, MN
F1 category
May 15, 1998
3:40 PM CST
Tornado report for May 15, 1998
Ramsey County · 120,678 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado touched down in Roseville, and travelled straight north through Shoreview, North Oaks, Lino Lakes, eventually lifting off in Blaine in Anoka County. 7 houses destroyed, 102 severely damaged. Damaged estimate for entire county including widespread wind driven hail.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Roseville, MN
Showing 15 of 31
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports on May 15, 1998 on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home on May 15, 1998? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many storm reports were recorded on May 15, 1998?

Our records show 81 hail, 454 wind, and 31 tornado reports on May 15, 1998, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 15, 1998.

What was the largest hail reported on May 15, 1998?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records on May 15, 1998 is 3.00″, reported near International Falls, MN.

Some reports show UNK instead of a wind speed or tornado rating — what does that mean?

Wind reports come three ways: measured from an instrument, estimated from the damage observed, or UNK when no speed was recorded. Tornadoes show UNK until the National Weather Service finishes a damage survey and assigns an EF rating. UNK simply means that value was not available when the report was filed.

A report appeared near my home on May 15, 1998 — is my roof damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report shows that hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby, not that any specific home was hit. To find out whether your property was affected, check an address-level hail report, and if it looks significant, ask a local pro about a Remote Hail Inspection before scheduling roof work.

I am buying or selling a home — how do these on May 15, 1998 reports help?

If a storm passed through, a roof or exterior may have damage that is hard to see, or a recent repair may trace back to it. Buyers can ask better questions before closing, and sellers can document the home condition up front — both starting from the property address rather than a whole region.

How do I check what happened at a specific address on May 15, 1998?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events on May 15, 1998 across the United States, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

Free Hail Report By Address

Check Your Address in Seconds

Free hail report for any address in the contiguous U.S.

Get a Free Hail Report

100% free. No phone or email required.