Hail history for Hughes County, SD

Hughes County has 210 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 153 of them 1″ or larger and 32 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on July 18, 2023.

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 210 since 1955

1″ or larger 153 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 32 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · July 18, 2023

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 Hughes County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 210 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 28, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 9, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 9, 2025	0.75″	Penny
July 9, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 12, 2025	0.75″	Penny
April 27, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
June 27, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 23, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 18, 2023 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

A photo of an estimated 4.5 inch hailstone was submitted on Facebook.

August 26, 2018 · 4.0″ (softball)

Very large hail caused some siding and car damage along with knocking out some windows.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
4	3	7	19	28	68	51	30

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 Hughes County

Has it ever hailed in Hughes County?

Yes — 210 hail events have been recorded for Hughes County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 153 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hughes County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hughes County, SD is July 28, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Hughes County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on July 18, 2023. 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.