Hail history for Codington County, SD

Codington County has 224 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 147 of them 1″ or larger and 15 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.75″ (softball) on July 25, 2021.

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 224 since 1956

1″ or larger 147 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 15 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.75″ softball · July 25, 2021

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 Codington County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 224 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 2, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 27, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 27, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 27, 2025	2.75″	Baseball
July 27, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
August 5, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 18, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
June 18, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 27, 2025 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball-sized hail was reported near Lake Kampeska. Numerous additional reports of golf-ball sized hail were received from in and around Watertown.

August 5, 2024 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A trained spotter reported a 3/4 mile swath of crop damage from estimated quarter to golfball sized hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	3	3	10	31	86	57	32

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 Codington County

Has it ever hailed in Codington County?

Yes — 224 hail events have been recorded for Codington County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 147 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Codington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Codington County, SD is September 2, 2025, 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 Codington County?

3.75″ (softball), recorded on July 25, 2021. 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.