Hail History

Home › South Dakota › Pennington County › Rapid City

Hail history for Rapid City, SD

Last hail within 10 milesAug 18, 20261.25 in (half dollar)
Hail days, last 12 months7
Largest hail since 20064.25 inAug 3, 2007
Hail days since 2006177
Days with hail 1 inch or larger143
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles223

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Rapid City on 177 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 4.25 in on Aug 3, 2007. Hail is most common here in July and June.

Rapid City ranks #1 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Rapid City

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 18, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Dwtn Rapid City, Rockerville
6 hail reports · closest 4 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 16, 20260.88 in
nickel		Dwtn Rapid City, Black Hawk
2 hail reports · closest 2 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 11, 20262 in
hen egg		Johnson Siding, Rockerville, Black Hawk
8 hail reports · closest 4 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 7, 20261 in
quarter		Summerset
1 hail report · closest 10 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261 in
quarter		Rockerville, Dwtn Rapid City
5 hail reports · closest 3 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 1, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Black Hawk
2 hail reports · closest 5 mi from Rapid City		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 22, 20261.75 in
golf ball		Rapid City
9 hail reports · closest near the center of Rapid City		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 19, 20251 in
quarter		Black Hawk, Rockerville, Rapid City
6 hail reports · closest 3 mi from Rapid City		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 6, 20251.75 in
golf ball		Rockerville, Rapid City
6 hail reports · closest 3 mi from Rapid City		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 1, 20250.75 in
penny		Rapid City
1 hail report · closest 3 mi from Rapid City		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 28, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Rapid City
1 hail report · closest 3 mi from Rapid City		NOAA Storm Events

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near Rapid City by year

5068077082099101311612131351471514165178181219122052192216231024425726

When hail season peaks near Rapid City

Of the 177 hail days since 2006, most fell in July (63) and June (47).

JanFebMar4Apr19May47Jun63Jul33Aug9Sep2OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Rapid City

Aug 3, 2007 · 4.25 in · Rapid City (8 mi from Rapid City)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail to softball size broke windows and damaged roofs in the Black Gap subdivision. It also damaged vehicles and at least 70 motor homes at the Hart Ranch campgound.

Jul 10, 2020 · 3.25 in · Rapid City (4 mi from Rapid City)

National Weather Service description (English): Vehicle damage, including several broken windshields, was noted in the neighborhood.

Jun 24, 2011 · 3 in (tea cup) · Rapid City (4 mi from Rapid City)

National Weather Service description (English): One to three inch diameter hail fell over the south side of Rapid City.

Jun 16, 2014 · 3 in (tea cup) · Rockerville (6 mi from Rapid City)

Jul 18, 2016 · 3 in (tea cup) · Black Hawk (6 mi from Rapid City)

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Rapid City

223 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Rapid City since 2006, on 109 days. The strongest measured gust was 83 mph on Aug 8, 2016.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 7, 202667 mph, measuredRapid City Airport, Rockerville
3 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 30, 202660 mph, measuredBox Elder, Rapid City Airport, Ellsworth AFB
10 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 18, 202653 mph, measuredRapid City Airport
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 16, 2026damage reportedRapid City Airport
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 29, 202667 mph, measuredRapid City Airport, Box Elder
4 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 25, 202655 mph, measuredEllsworth AFB
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 202653 mph, measuredRapid City Airport, Dwtn Rapid City
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 27, 202661 mph, measuredRapid City Airport, Rapid City
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 26, 202672 mph, measuredRockerville, Rapid City
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Sep 10, 202564 mph, measuredRapid City, Ellsworth AFB
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events

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 Rapid City; 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 Rapid City.

Run a roofing company or a local news site? Show Rapid City's hail history on your website with our free widget →

Roofing or restoration company? Get an email within the hour when hail is reported near Rapid City with our hail alerts ($29 a month) →