Hail history for Brookings County, SD

Brookings County has 163 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 97 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 28, 1986.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

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 163 since 1961

1″ or larger 97 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 28, 1986

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 Brookings County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 163 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 5, 2025	0.75″	Penny
August 5, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 2, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
September 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 19, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 13, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

September 29, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail was mostly nickel to quarter size in Elkton.

June 18, 2012 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Large hail caused an unknown amount of damage to vehicles and crops.

August 29, 2001 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Large hail damaged crops, especially soybeans. Damage to buildings and vehicles was also reported, but the amount of damage was not known.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	6	3	7	11	75	38	23

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 Brookings County

Has it ever hailed in Brookings County?

Yes — 163 hail events have been recorded for Brookings County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 97 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Brookings County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Brookings County, SD is August 5, 2025, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Brookings County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 28, 1986. 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.