Hail history for Dewey County, SD

Dewey County has 263 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 186 of them 1″ or larger and 22 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 5, 2022.

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 263 since 1957

1″ or larger 186 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 22 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 5, 2022

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 Dewey County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 263 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 26, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 29, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
June 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 26, 2025 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Ping-Pong ball-sized hail was reported.

July 5, 2022 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A trained spotter estimated 70 to 80 mph winds. The wind and large hail broke skylights on the house. In addition, a fence was damaged, along with tree branches down.

July 12, 1995 · 3.75″ (softball)

Large hail damaged corn crops and damaged many vehilces in Isabel and at a car dealership.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	4	12	39	97	66	42

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 Dewey County

Has it ever hailed in Dewey County?

Yes — 263 hail events have been recorded for Dewey County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 186 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Dewey County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Dewey County, SD is July 26, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Dewey County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 5, 2022. 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.