Hail history for Bennett County, SD

Bennett County has 221 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 164 of them 1″ or larger and 22 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on June 25, 2024.

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 221 since 1964

1″ or larger 164 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 22 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · June 25, 2024

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 Bennett County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 221 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 26, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
June 15, 2025	0.75″	Penny
August 26, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 28, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 3, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 3, 2024	2.75″	Baseball
July 1, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 25, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 26, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Spotter submitted report, confirmed.

June 25, 2024 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Baseball to softball sized hail caused significant damage to home and vehicle.

June 13, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail broke windows and skylights, damaged vehicles, and killed lambs.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	3	5	9	13	99	56	36

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 Bennett County

Has it ever hailed in Bennett County?

Yes — 221 hail events have been recorded for Bennett County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1964, including 164 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Bennett County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Bennett County, SD is July 26, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Bennett County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 25, 2024. 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.