Hail history for Hutchinson County, SD

Hutchinson County has 189 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 127 of them 1″ or larger and 20 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on June 29, 1968.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month August

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 189 since 1957

1″ or larger 127 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 20 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · June 29, 1968

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 Hutchinson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 189 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 13, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 13, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 13, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 13, 2026	0.75″	Penny
July 7, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 2, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 2, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
June 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 7, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A few hailstones up to golf ball size were reported in Menno.

April 12, 2022 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail smashed county deputy sheriff's windshield.

August 28, 2011 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Large hail caused crop damage. The amount of crop damage was not known.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	7	5	6	9	76	40	44

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 Hutchinson County

Has it ever hailed in Hutchinson County?

Yes — 189 hail events have been recorded for Hutchinson County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 127 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hutchinson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hutchinson County, SD is April 13, 2026, 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 Hutchinson County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on June 29, 1968. 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.