Hail history for Pennington County, SD

Pennington County has 1,614 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 1,172 of them 1″ or larger and 174 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on June 12, 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 1,614 since 1955

1″ or larger 1,172 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 174 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · June 12, 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 Pennington County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 1,614 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 18, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 6, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 6, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

July 19, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Measured hail report.

August 8, 2020 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

A woman was hit in the head by giant hailstones.

August 30, 2013 · 4.25″ (grapefruit)

Softball size hail caused extensive property damage to buildings and vehicles along Norris Peak Road.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
15	19	24	71	164	367	575	379

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 Pennington County

Has it ever hailed in Pennington County?

Yes — 1,614 hail events have been recorded for Pennington County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 1,172 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pennington County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pennington County, SD is July 19, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) 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 Pennington County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on June 12, 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.