Hail history for Stanley County, SD

Stanley County has 183 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 133 of them 1″ or larger and 23 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on July 18, 2023.

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 183 since 1960

1″ or larger 133 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 23 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · July 18, 2023

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 Stanley County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 183 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
July 26, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 20, 2025	2.5″	Tennis ball
July 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 21, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
September 20, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
September 7, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
July 27, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
July 26, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

July 20, 2025 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis-ball size hail was reported five miles south-southwest of Hayes.

August 26, 2020 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail broke six windows on the north and west sides of the home.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	2	9	24	71	53	22

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 Stanley County

Has it ever hailed in Stanley County?

Yes — 183 hail events have been recorded for Stanley County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 133 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Stanley County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Stanley County, SD is July 26, 2025, 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 Stanley County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on July 18, 2023. 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.