Hail history for Douglas County, SD

Douglas County has 97 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 67 of them 1″ or larger and 12 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.25″ (grapefruit) on September 16, 2006.

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 97 since 1955

1″ or larger 67 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 12 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.25″ grapefruit · September 16, 2006

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 Douglas County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 97 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 3, 2025	0.75″	Penny
June 16, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
June 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 30, 2023	2.5″	Tennis ball
July 24, 2023	0.75″	Penny
April 12, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
April 12, 2022	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 30, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Golf ball to tennis ball sized hail fell straight down, which cracked the windshield on a parked pickup truck.

September 16, 2006 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Large hail damaged siding, windows, and cars. The damage was significant but confined to a small area according to local law enforcement. The amount of damage was not known.

July 6, 1998 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Large hail devastated crops, broke windows, and caused other damage to buildings and vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	2	4	4	35	37	13

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 Douglas County

Has it ever hailed in Douglas County?

Yes — 97 hail events have been recorded for Douglas County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 67 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Douglas County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Douglas County, SD is August 3, 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 Douglas County?

4.25″ (grapefruit), recorded on September 16, 2006. 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.