Hail history for Potter County, SD

Potter County has 134 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 78 of them 1″ or larger and 10 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on August 5, 2025.

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 134 since 1960

1″ or larger 78 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 10 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · August 5, 2025

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 Potter County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 134 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 5, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 5, 2025	3.0″	Tea cup
July 14, 2025	0.75″	Penny
July 14, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 23, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 19, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

August 5, 2025 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail up to three inches in diameter was observed in Hoven. Several other reports of hail between 1.00 and 2.75 inches were received.

August 28, 2011 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Very large hail up to three inches in diameter caused some vehicle and siding damage in Tolstoy.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	4	11	17	51	32	17

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 Potter County

Has it ever hailed in Potter County?

Yes — 134 hail events have been recorded for Potter County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 78 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Potter County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Potter County, SD is August 5, 2025, with 1.5″ (ping-pong 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 Potter County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on August 5, 2025. 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.