Hail HistoryHome › South Dakota › Codington County › Watertown
Hail history for Watertown, SD
Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Watertown on 31 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Jul 11, 2017. Hail is most common here in July and June.
Recent hail near Watertown
| Date | Hail size | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | 1 in quarter | Kranzburg 1 hail report · closest 6 mi from Watertown |
| Jun 3, 2026 | 1 in quarter | Thomas, Grover 2 hail reports · closest 7 mi from Watertown |
| Sep 2, 2025 | 1 in quarter | Watertown 1 hail report · closest 5 mi from Watertown |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 2.75 in baseball | Watertown Airport, Rauville, Watertown 4 hail reports · closest near the center of Watertown |
One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.
Hail days near Watertown by year
When hail season peaks near Watertown
Of the 31 hail days since 2006, most fell in July (10) and June (7).
Largest hail storms near Watertown
Jul 11, 2017 · 3 in (tea cup) · Watertown (1 mi from Watertown)
National Weather Service description (English): Golf ball hail caused damage to the house siding along with breaking some windows. Crops were also damaged.Jul 27, 2025 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Watertown Airport (3 mi from Watertown)
National Weather Service description (English): Baseball-sized hail was reported near Lake Kampeska. Numerous additional reports of golf-ball sized hail were received from in and around Watertown.May 5, 2012 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Watertown Airport (3 mi from Watertown)
Aug 9, 2017 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Rauville (7 mi from Watertown)
Aug 21, 2017 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Watertown Airport (3 mi from Watertown)
Tornadoes within 10 miles of Watertown
| Date | Rating | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2025 | EF? | Appleby 6 mi from Watertown |
| May 12, 2022 | EF1 | Rauville 8 mi from Watertown |
| Sep 9, 2019 | EF0 | Watertown Airport 4 mi from Watertown |
Damaging thunderstorm winds near Watertown
61 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Watertown since 2006, on 29 days. The strongest measured gust was 99 mph on Aug 5, 2025.
| Date | Strongest gust | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | 63 mph, measured | Sandy Shore State 1 wind report |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 58 mph, measured | Watertown 1 wind report |
| Jul 2, 2026 | 70 mph, measured | Watertown Airport, Watertown 4 wind reports |
| Sep 14, 2025 | 60 mph, measured | Watertown Airport 1 wind report |
| Aug 16, 2025 | 71 mph, measured | Watertown Airport 1 wind report |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 99 mph, measured | Watertown Airport, Waverly, Foley 7 wind reports |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 71 mph, measured | Watertown Airport 1 wind report |
| Jul 31, 2024 | 60 mph, estimated | Rauville, Watertown Airport 2 wind reports |
| Jun 2, 2024 | 63 mph, measured | Watertown Airport 1 wind report |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 81 mph, estimated | Watertown Airport 3 wind reports |
Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.
Filing a roof or car hail claim?
Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near Watertown; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.
Nearby cities
Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of Watertown.
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