Hail History

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Hail history for Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD

Last hail within 10 milesAug 16, 20260.88 in (nickel)
Hail days, last 12 months4
Largest hail since 20063 in (tea cup)Jul 10, 2020
Hail days since 2006112
Days with hail 1 inch or larger88
Tornadoes within 10 miles1
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles233

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Ellsworth Air Force Base on 112 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Jul 10, 2020. Hail is most common here in June and July.

Recent hail near Ellsworth Air Force Base

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 16, 20260.88 in
nickel		Dwtn Rapid City
1 hail report · closest 10 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 20261.75 in
golf ball		New Underwood, Ellsworth AFB, Dwtn Rapid City
3 hail reports · closest 6 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 1, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		Black Hawk
1 hail report · closest 8 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 22, 20261 in
quarter		Rapid City
4 hail reports · closest 8 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 19, 20251 in
quarter		Rapid City
1 hail report · closest 8 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 28, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Rapid City, Ellsworth AFB
3 hail reports · closest 6 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		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 Ellsworth Air Force Base by year

506607608109510101121210133142159163175185198204216221023624225426

When hail season peaks near Ellsworth Air Force Base

Of the 112 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (34) and July (32).

JanFebMar5Apr13May34Jun32Jul21Aug5Sep2OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Ellsworth Air Force Base

Jul 10, 2020 · 3 in (tea cup) · Rapid City (9 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base)

Aug 14, 2006 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Black Hawk (6 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base)

May 17, 2007 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Rapid City (9 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base)

National Weather Service description (English): Penny to baseball sized hail fell for about 30 minutes.

Jun 14, 2009 · 2.75 in (baseball) · New Underwood (8 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base)

National Weather Service description (English): Baseball sized hail broke automobile windows at mile marker 73 on Interstate 90 west of New Underwood.

Jul 20, 2013 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Rapid City (8 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base)

National Weather Service description (English): Large hail cracked windows and stripped leaves off trees.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ellsworth Air Force Base

DateRatingWherePath
May 6, 2023EF0Ellsworth AFB
5 mi from Ellsworth Air Force Base		0.0 mi long, 20 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Ellsworth Air Force Base

233 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Ellsworth Air Force Base since 2006, on 110 days. The strongest measured gust was 83 mph on Aug 8, 2016.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 7, 202667 mph, measuredRapid City Airport, New Underwood
3 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 30, 202660 mph, measuredBox Elder, Rapid City Airport, New Underwood
16 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, New Underwood, Ellsworth AFB
10 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, New Underwood, Caputa
4 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 27, 202667 mph, measuredNew Underwood, Rapid City Airport, Rapid City
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 26, 202658 mph, measuredRapid City, Ellsworth AFB
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Sep 10, 202560 mph, measuredEllsworth AFB
1 wind report		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 Ellsworth Air Force Base; 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 Ellsworth Air Force Base.

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