Hail history for Hand County, SD

Hand County has 321 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 213 of them 1″ or larger and 26 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 3, 1971.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 321 since 1965

1″ or larger 213 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 26 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 3, 1971

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Hand County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Hand County's peak: June.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 321 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 2, 2024	2.75″	Baseball
June 2, 2024	2.75″	Baseball
June 2, 2024	2.75″	Baseball
June 2, 2024	2.75″	Baseball
May 23, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 23, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
August 10, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Hand County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

August 10, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A member of the public reported that the storm generated quarter to golfball sized hail, enough to completely cover the ground.

July 13, 2009 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail broke many windows, damaged crops, and stripped trees of leaves.

June 12, 1994 · 2.75″ (baseball)

The storm caused an estimated $3 million in crop damage. The damage path was estimated to be about 22 miles long and 4.5 miles wide. Hail was reported in drifts of three to four feet and large trees were blown down. About 70 thousand acres of cropland and pastures were completely destroyed. The hail killed pheasants and ducks and injured cattle.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	5	5	6	46	132	100	27

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Hand County

Has it ever hailed in Hand County?

Yes — 321 hail events have been recorded for Hand County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1965, including 213 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hand County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hand County, SD is July 6, 2024, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Hand County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 3, 1971. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More South Dakota hail history

All 66 South Dakota counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.