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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 56081

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 56081 from May 29, 1962 through June 30, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 56081 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
40
Wind Reports
49
Tornado Reports
16
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 56081 · 1962–present Updated  Daily · last Jun 30, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 56081

40 reports
Free hail report for your home →
2.00″ hail
Apr 14, 2026
12:18 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 WSW Lewisville, MN
1.50″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
10:54 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 WSW Lewisville, MN
2.00″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
10:52 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 SW Lewisville, MN
1.75″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
10:38 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Ormsby, MN
2.50″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
10:34 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Tennis Ball (2.50 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 E Ormsby, MN
2.00″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
10:33 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 E Ormsby, MN
1.75″ hail
Jun 23, 2019
12:09 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: St. James, MN
1.00″ hail
Apr 17, 2019
12:55 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORTED VIA TWITTER.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 WNW St. James, MN
1.00″ hail
Sep 22, 2010
6:45 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 S South Branch, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 17, 2010
2:47 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Several reports of quarter size hail occurred around the St. James, Minnesota area.
NWS Hail Report Location: N St James, MN
0.75″ hail
Jul 19, 2006
9:10 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: St James, MN
1.75″ hail
Jul 19, 2006
8:37 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail occurred on the west side of town along St. James Lake. As reported by St. James Plain Dealer newspaper.
NWS Hail Report Location: St James, MN
0.75″ hail
Jul 19, 2006
8:26 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: St James, MN
0.75″ hail
Jul 19, 2006
7:55 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Butterfield, MN
1.00″ hail
Mar 30, 2005
5:15 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Echols, MN
Showing 15 of 40
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.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near ZIP 56081

49 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
60 mph
Jun 30, 2026
8:35 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: St. James Municipal Airport ASOS recorded a 60 mph wind gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 E St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jun 30, 2026
8:30 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trained Spotter reported multiple 8-10 inch diameter trees blown down or snapped in half with St. James... MN. Along with the roof partially blown off a metal commercial/work shed.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jul 8, 2025
12:35 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree fell on a power line... taking out power in Godahl.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NW La Salle, MN
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2023
10:54 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power lines were reported down in St. James.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
May 30, 2022
10:35 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES DOWN AND ROOF DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
Aug 28, 2021
11:50 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES DOWN IN ST. JAMES.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
Aug 28, 2021
11:50 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES DOWN IN SVEADAHL.
NWS Wind Report Location: Sveadahl, MN
UNK mph
Jun 2, 2020
10:30 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DELAYED REPORT - 1 TREE DOWN ON PROPERTY... TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 W Lewisville, MN
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2019
5:03 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: POWERLINES DOWN IN ST JAMES - DELAYED REPORT... TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jul 20, 2019
3:15 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: PINE TREE UPROOTED AND LARGE BRANCHES DOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
60 mph
Jul 20, 2019
2:55 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: SPOTTER ESTIMATES GUSTS TO AROUND 60MPH... POWER KNOCKED OUT IN ST. JAMES AREA.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
78 mph
Jun 23, 2019
12:12 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 4 E ST. JAMES. NWS DAMAGE SURVEY DETERMINED THIS WAS A DOWNBURST... WITH DIVERGENT DAMAGE PATTERN FANNING OUT. HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE DAMAGED FOR SEVERAL MILES... A TURKEY BARN WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED... AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE BLOWN OFF HIGHWAY 60.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 E St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jul 19, 2017
8:10 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LARGE TREE BLOWN DOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNW St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jul 13, 2016
1:30 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: MULTIPLE LARGE TREES DOWN IN DOWN. POWER LINES TOO.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
UNK mph
Jun 18, 2016
12:20 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LARGE TREE BROKEN IN TWO ON ARMSTRONG AVE. TWO EIGHT TO TEN INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS SEVERED. TIME OF EVENT ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: St. James, MN
Showing 15 of 49
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.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 56081

16 reports
UNK category
Aug 5, 2024
10:35 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Several reports of trees downed and power line damage. Relayed via County Dispatch. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 WSW La Salle, MN
UNK category
Aug 5, 2024
10:33 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Multiple reports from trained spotters of a brief tornado north of St James.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 NNE St. James, MN
UNK category
Aug 5, 2024
10:26 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: EF-1 began 6 E Darfur and continued ESE 2.3 miles. Non-continuous crop damage... trees uprooted... and a power pole damaged.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 E Darfur, MN
UNK category
Jun 20, 2019
11:42 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM GODAHL. WATONWAN COUNTY DEPUTY REPORTED TORNADO LASTED TWO MINUTES IN OPEN FIELD IN NORTH CENTRAL WATONWAN COUNTY... 0.5 SE GODAHL... OR 4 WNW LA SALLE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 WNW La Salle, MN
UNK category
Jun 20, 2019
11:42 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Brown County · 9,467 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: WATONWAN COUNTY DEPUTY REPORTS TORNADO ON THE GROUND IN GODAHL... OR 4 NW LASALLE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Godahl, MN
EF0 category
Jul 24, 2015
5:40 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A landspout-type tornado briefly occurred north of Ormsby. A storage building and some piles of tiling were damaged as the tornado hit a construction business. The tornado was photographed or recorded on video by several people.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.26 SSW Echols, MN
EF0 category
May 8, 2014
3:51 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado was witnessed and filmed my multiple storm chasers. It moved across open fields and caused no damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.14 ENE Butterfield, MN
EF0 category
Aug 11, 2010
12:58 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A funnel had been visible for several minutes before it touched down. The tornado stirred up some dirt, knocked over some small items, and tore off a few shingles.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3.2 SE Sveadahl, MN
EF0 category
Jun 25, 2010
7:10 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Spotter watched tornado move from north to south along 750th Avenue. Corn was damaged, along with a few trees and large branches. Multiple eyewitnesses.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .07 NNE South Branch, MN
F1 category
Aug 1, 2006
6:44 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Shortly after another tornado dissipated at 1842 CST four miles south of St. James, another tornado quickly developed about 1/4 mile away. It moved across corn and bean fields until it struck a farm just southwest of County Roads 110 and 122, where it destroyed machine sheds and removed the roof of the barn. It continued moving northeast before veering to the north, where it dissipated as it hit an abandoned farmhouse.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 S St James, MN
F1 category
Aug 1, 2006
6:33 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado developed near Mary's Lake and moved across corn and bean fields before striking a farmstead just northwest of County Roads 10 and 27. Nearly empty grain bins were dented, sheds demolished, and a 32 foot camper was destroyed. A house lost its garage, part of its roof, and was pushed off its foundation. A large vehicle was also pushed a couple of hundred feet. Shortly after hitting the farmstead, it veered southeast into some fields, where it dissipated.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 E Echols, MN
F3 category
Aug 1, 2006
6:14 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Initial damage occurred at farmstead just east of the Watonwan/Cottonwood line. Damage included the partial removal of roofs off two large sheds, along with scattered downed trees. The tornado then moved across corn and bean fields. Another farmstead was hit just southwest of the intersection of County Roads 10 and 2. This was the location of the F3 damage. A house was leveled, a 60 foot concrete base silo was toppled and rolled. Virtually all barns, sheds and outbuildings were completely destroyed.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 SW Butterfield, MN
F0 category
Jul 11, 1990
5:09 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F1 category
Jun 21, 1981
5:45 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F0 category
Jun 27, 1980
3:55 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56081
Watonwan County · 3,868 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
Showing 15 of 16
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 in and near ZIP 56081 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 56081 area census snapshot

People & households
Population6,092
Households2,413
Housing units2,798
Income
Median household income$66,612
$100k+ households37.6%
$150k+ households15.7%
Housing stock
Single-family detached2,108
Attached single-family75
Small multifamily223
Large multifamily304
Mobile homes88
Housing mix
Single-family share75.3%
Attached-home share2.7%
Multifamily share18.8%
Mobile-home share3.2%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied1,796
Renter-occupied617
Vacant units385
Home value & age
Median home value$153,400
Owner homes $300k+15.1%
Owner homes $500k+3.9%
Owner homes $750k+0.3%
Median year built1968
Older-home share65.5%
Vehicle context
Households with cars2,197
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does ZIP 56081 have on record?

Our records show 40 hail, 49 wind, and 16 tornado reports in and near ZIP 56081, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on June 30, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 56081?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 56081 is 3.00″. It was reported near Courtland, MN on July 16, 1963.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 56081 — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves ZIP 56081 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 56081 — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a ZIP 56081 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 56081 — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific ZIP 56081 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 56081 — 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 in and around ZIP 56081, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 56081, 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.

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