Hail history for Union County, SD

Union County has 158 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 88 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on May 7, 1993.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 158 since 1959

1″ or larger 88 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · May 7, 1993

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 Union County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 158 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 14, 2025	0.75″	Penny
June 14, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
June 2, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 2, 2025	0.75″	Penny
June 2, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 17, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 25, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 20, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

June 2, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Ping pong to golf ball size hail occurred between mile markers 19 and 22 on Interstate 29. A semi truck ran into another semi truck in the adjoining lane and forced it off the road due to poor visibility during hail, wind, and heavy rain.

June 25, 1994 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail caused widespread crop damage and broke many windows. The crop damage included an estimated 7500 acres of crops.

May 7, 1993 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

A hailstorm pelted the Beresford area with hail up to three inches in diameter. Around 300 cars and at least 200 roofs sustained hail damage.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	3	10	18	83	20	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 Union County

Has it ever hailed in Union County?

Yes — 158 hail events have been recorded for Union County, SD in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 88 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Union County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Union County, SD is June 14, 2025, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Union County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on May 7, 1993. 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.