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HailIndex

Sioux Falls hail storm history

Minnehaha County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag

Sioux Falls, located in Minnehaha County, has experienced 8 hail events of 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years, averaging 0.8 events per year. The city sits in eastern South Dakota where Gulf moisture, westward elevated terrain, and the low-level jet converge to produce hail storms capable of significant property damage.

Events ≥1" (10yr)
125
Significant ≥1.5"
35
Avg per year
12.5
Largest recorded
3.5"
Most recent
Sep 17, 2025
Total records
179
NOAA storm history
events (10 yr)123
≥1.5" significant34
peak year (36)2022

Hail season in Sioux Falls peaks during June and July, with secondary activity in May and August. The timing of peak hail activity occurs later in the season compared to the Southern Plains due to Sioux Falls' higher latitude, and the most intense storms typically develop when atmospheric conditions align with the late spring and early summer moisture pattern.

Annual frequency — last 10 years

2025
17
2024
4
2023
17
2022
45
2021
28
2020
2
2019
15
2018
18
2017
29
≥2.0" severe≥1.5" significant≥1.0" marginal

When hail hits — monthly pattern

Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data

Jan0
Feb0
Mar2
Apr17
May37
Jun37
Jul30
Aug55
Sep1
Oct0
Nov0
Dec0

All recorded hail events

Of 179 recorded events, 35 (20%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.

Sep 17, 20251"quarter

Hail was mostly pea to dime size, but some was as large as quarters.

Jun 12, 20250.75"penny

Observed hail was from quarter to golf ball size.

Aug 1, 20241"quarter
Jul 30, 20240.75"penny

Hail varied from quarter to half-dollar size.

Jul 26, 20230.75"penny
Jul 4, 20231"quarter

Occasional pea to dime size hail covered the ground.

Apr 19, 20230.88"penny

Hail up to 0.88 inch in diameter fell 10 miles east of Trent, covering the ground.

Hail varied from dime to nickel size.

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department…

Wind driven hail produced some leaf and limb damage.

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department…

May 11, 20220.75"penny

Hail up to nickel size fell 2 to 3 miles east of Chancellor along South Dakota Highway 44.

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department…

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department…

Aug 20, 20210.75"penny

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department…

Hail was mostly dime to nickel sized, with a few stones as large as quarters.

Intermittent hail from quarter to half dollar size fell for a little over a minute.

Hail varied between dime and quarter size.

Jul 3, 20191"quarter
Jul 1, 20191"quarter

Mainly quarter to half dollar size hail, with a few golf ball size stones.

Hail accompanied by measured wind gusts to 68 mph.

Jul 30, 20180.88"penny

Hail produce some minor crop damage.

May 2, 20180.88"penny
Apr 13, 20180.75"penny
Aug 13, 20171.75"golf ball

Social Media report.

Jun 29, 20170.75"penny

Report received through social media.

Social Media report.

Jun 12, 20171"quarter
Jun 11, 20171"quarter

Social media report.

Jun 22, 20160.88"penny

Hail was mostly quarter size or smaller with just a few stones of golf ball size.

Jun 17, 20161"quarter
About this data

Minnehaha County's NOAA Storm Events Database records show 14 documented hail events of 1 inch or larger, with 1 significant event of 1.5 inches or greater—the threshold at which functional roof damage becomes likely on standard asphalt shingles. The largest recorded hail event in the county measured 1.75 inches on August 6, 2025. Current-year data is excluded from the annual frequency table until October, when NOAA's Storm Events Database has processed the full hail season accounting for the standard 75-day reporting lag.

NOAA Storm Events Database source