Hail history for McCook County, SD

McCook County has 189 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 134 of them 1″ or larger and 8 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on September 2, 1995.

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 189 since 1959

1″ or larger 134 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 8 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · September 2, 1995

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 McCook County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 189 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 6, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 9, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
July 30, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
June 12, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 12, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 10, 2023	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

August 6, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A large tree limb was also blown down by thunderstorm winds.

July 22, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail up to tennis ball size was reported through a photo.

September 2, 1995 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Widespread golf ball to baseball-size hail fell with some softball size hail reported. The hail broke windows and caused other damage to all homes and unprotected vehicles in Salem, including 150 cars at a dealership. Severe damage occurred to crops in the area.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	4	3	11	30	78	38	23

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 McCook County

Has it ever hailed in McCook County?

Yes — 189 hail events have been recorded for McCook County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 134 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in McCook County?

The most recent recorded hail event for McCook County, SD is August 6, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf 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 McCook County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on September 2, 1995. 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.