Hail history for Roberts County, SD

Roberts County has 132 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 84 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 19, 1997.

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 132 since 1956

1″ or larger 84 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 19, 1997

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 Roberts County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 132 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 28, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
July 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 31, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
July 20, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 30, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 30, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
August 26, 2021	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

July 17, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Large hail caused some crop damage.

July 19, 1997 · 4.0″ (softball)

The four inch size hail busted a few windshields.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	4	1	7	25	47	36	9

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 Roberts County

Has it ever hailed in Roberts County?

Yes — 132 hail events have been recorded for Roberts County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 84 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Roberts County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Roberts County, SD is July 28, 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 Roberts County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 19, 1997. 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.