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Sanborn County, SD hail & severe wind history
62 storm reports on file for Sanborn County between 2010-05-24 and 2026-06-17 — 24 hail and 38 severe thunderstorm wind. That averages 3.6 reports a year, and Jul is the busiest month.
Hail reports
24
1.4 per year
Largest hail
1.75"
golf ball size · 2017-06-22
Strongest gust
90 mph
78 kt · 2025-07-20
Reported damage
$2.5M
property + crop, as filed
Storm days
39
distinct days with a report
Busiest year
2017
13 reports
Search every Sanborn County report
Filter the full record below — pick a year, narrow to a month, or drag the hail-size slider to see only the storms big enough to dent a roof (1" and up is the usual threshold insurers care about).
62 of 62 reports match.
Reports by month for the current filter — the shape of Sanborn County’s storm season.
| Date | Type | Size / gust | Nearest location | Report detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 14:40 | Wind | 54 kt 62 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | Wind gust measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site near Forestburg. |
| 2026-06-09 23:10 | Wind | 55 kt 63 mph | 9.46 mi NNE of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm wind gust was measured by a South Dakota Road Weather Information System site 8 miles east of Alpena. |
| 2025-08-16 02:00 | Wind | 60 kt 69 mph | 1 mi E of Letcher | A several minute period of thunderstorm severe wind gusts was measured by South Dakota Mesonet station LCMS2 Letcher 2ENE. |
| 2025-07-27 20:55 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 2.11 mi ENE of Letcher | Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured by the South Dakota Mesonet site located 2 miles east-northeast of Letcher. |
| 2025-07-20 14:00 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | 4.6 mi NNW of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm winds were measured by South Dakota Mesonet station WSMS2 4 miles north-northwest of Woonsocket. |
| 2025-07-20 14:04 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | .69 mi N of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Social Media |
| 2025-07-20 14:05 | Hail | 1" quarter | .69 mi N of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2025-07-20 14:05 | Wind | 78 kt 90 mph | .85 mi NW of Woonsocket | Numerous tree and limb damage was reported across Woonsocket. An empty grain bin had the sides blown in and an empty grain truck was blown over. Significant damage was done to several businesses in town with severe wall and/or roof damage to numerous buildings. A survey of direction and extent of damage from drone foo… |
| 2025-07-20 14:05 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | .69 mi N of Woonsocket | Numerous instances of significant tree damage were reported across the city of Woonsocket. |
| 2025-07-20 14:22 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.6 mi NNE of Letcher | Damaged occurred to a few large tree limbs from thunderstorm winds. |
| 2025-07-07 14:36 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 3.59 mi SSW of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2025-05-19 15:13 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.76 mi N of Artesian | Quarter-sized hail piled up on the ground about two inches deep. |
| 2023-07-03 21:03 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 2.76 mi S of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2022-08-02 18:54 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | .5 mi W of Woonsocket | Multiple branches, some up to 2-feet in diameter, were downed along with several power lines. |
| 2022-08-02 19:00 | Wind | 66 kt 76 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | A thunderstorm wind gust of 76 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 4 miles east-southeast of Forestburg. |
| 2022-08-02 19:05 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | .69 mi S of Artesian | Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a 6-inch diameter limb. |
| 2022-07-05 13:02 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | A thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 4 miles east-southeast of Forestburg. |
| 2022-07-05 13:10 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 0 mi N of Woonsocket | Significant damage to tree limbs occurred due to thunderstorm wind gusts. |
| 2022-07-05 13:31 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | An extended period of thunderstorm wind gusts of 58 mph or greater was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 4 miles east-southeast of Forestburg. A peak wind gust of 81 mph occurred at 1338CST. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Depa… |
| 2022-07-03 14:58 | Wind | 78 kt 90 mph | 1.21 mi NW of Woonsocket | Seven power poles along South Dakota Highway 34 were damaged by thunderstorm winds, six of those snapped. |
| 2022-07-03 15:06 | Hail | 1" quarter | 8.99 mi NNE of Woonsocket | Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2022-07-03 15:17 | Wind | 55 kt 63 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | A thunderstorm wind gust to 63 mph was measured at 1517CST at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 near Forestburg. Occasional wind gusts from 58 to 61 mph occurred for another 15 minutes. |
| 2022-05-28 23:45 | Wind | 60 kt 69 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 3 miles east-southeast of Forestburg measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 69 mph. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. |
| 2021-08-22 18:48 | Hail | 1" quarter | 3.24 mi SW of Letcher | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2020-08-09 00:10 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | South Dakota RWIS station SD527 measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph. |
| 2019-07-20 05:39 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 3.55 mi E of Forestburg | Thunderstorm winds measured by RWIS station. |
| 2019-07-03 15:13 | Hail | 1" quarter | 6.3 mi N of Woonsocket | Intermittent hail fall near 398th Avenue and 224th Street. |
| 2017-09-19 20:29 | Hail | 1" quarter | 7.43 mi NE of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2017-07-25 15:45 | Hail | 1" quarter | 5.03 mi W of Letcher | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2017-07-25 19:32 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 4.26 mi SSW of Cuthbert | Trees uprooted and large branches downed. |
| 2017-07-25 19:47 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .5 mi W of Letcher | Small branches downed. |
| 2017-07-25 19:54 | Hail | 1" quarter | 5.39 mi ENE of Letcher | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2017-07-25 19:54 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 5.39 mi ENE of Letcher | Small branches downed. |
| 2017-07-11 19:38 | Hail | 1" quarter | 4.84 mi S of Artesian | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2017-07-05 21:27 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .69 mi N of Woonsocket | A few tree limbs downed. |
| 2017-06-22 04:30 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 3.63 mi SW of Artesian | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2017-06-22 04:35 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .69 mi S of Artesian | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2017-06-13 16:52 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .69 mi N of Woonsocket | Downed tree. |
| 2017-06-11 03:25 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 5.1 mi NW of Woonsocket | Older trees downed, as well as healthy four inch diameter branches. |
| 2017-06-11 03:30 | Hail | 1" quarter | 7.43 mi NE of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2016-08-04 02:30 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 0 mi N of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down. |
| 2016-05-25 19:15 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 3.59 mi NNE of Forestburg | Large hail, driven by strong winds, damaged vinyl house siding and thermometer shelter. |
| 2016-05-25 19:19 | Hail | 1" quarter | .5 mi W of Forestburg | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2015-08-09 16:39 | Hail | 1.5" ping pong | .85 mi SW of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2015-08-09 16:42 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.24 mi NW of Cuthbert | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including branches blown down. |
| 2015-07-23 19:59 | Hail | 1" quarter | 6.53 mi NNE of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Trained Spotter |
| 2013-06-21 13:39 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 2.48 mi E of Forestburg | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including a 14 inch diameter limb blown down. |
| 2012-09-03 18:45 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 3.06 mi WSW of Woonsocket | Hail was accompanied by damaging wind gusts. |
| 2012-09-03 18:45 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.06 mi WSW of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm winds blew down several branches and small limbs. The winds were accompanied by nickel size hail. |
| 2012-08-03 18:03 | Hail | 1" quarter | 10.46 mi NNE of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2012-05-05 18:04 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 7.07 mi NNE of Artesian | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2012-04-15 10:50 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.38 mi N of Artesian | No narrative filed · source: Public |
| 2011-08-28 06:45 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 0 mi N of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm winds blew down a scoreboard at a football field, caused tree damage at a cemetery and elsewhere on the northwest side of Woonsocket, and blew down power lines, causing a power outage. |
| 2011-08-28 07:05 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 5.88 mi NNE of Farwell | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down. |
| 2011-05-08 21:18 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 0 mi N of Woonsocket | No narrative filed · source: Law Enforcement |
| 2010-09-14 22:50 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 8 mi NNE of Forestburg | Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees and numerous large branches.The winds were accompanied by small hail and 2,5 inches of rain. |
| 2010-08-30 17:20 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 2.58 mi WSW of Letcher | Thunderstorm winds destroyed 5 grain bins and caused extensive tree damage. Trees up to 3 feet in diameter were uprooted. |
| 2010-08-30 17:38 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 2.1 mi WSW of Forestburg | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several large branches blown down. |
| 2010-08-30 17:46 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 8.53 mi NNW of Artesian | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including up to 12 inch diameter limbs blown down. |
| 2010-06-26 16:40 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.72 mi NE of Forestburg | Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down. |
| 2010-06-22 23:10 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .69 mi S of Artesian | Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous branches, some up to 8 inches in diameter. |
| 2010-05-24 20:30 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 0 mi N of Woonsocket | Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines and tree branches. |
Worst storm days in Sanborn County
| Date | Reports that day | Largest hail | Peak gust |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-20 | 6 | 1.5" (ping pong ball) | 90 mph |
| 2017-07-25 | 5 | 1" (quarter) | 64 mph |
| 2022-07-03 | 3 | 1" (quarter) | 90 mph |
| 2022-08-02 | 3 | — | 76 mph |
| 2022-07-05 | 3 | — | 81 mph |
| 2010-08-30 | 3 | — | 81 mph |
| 2017-06-22 | 2 | 1.75" (golf ball) | — |
| 2016-05-25 | 2 | 1.75" (golf ball) | — |
| 2015-08-09 | 2 | 1.5" (ping pong ball) | 60 mph |
| 2017-06-11 | 2 | 1" (quarter) | 70 mph |
Reports by year
Report counts are driven partly by how many people were around to report a storm, so recent years tend to look busier than the early 2010s. Treat the trend as a reporting trend, not purely a weather trend.
When does hail hit Sanborn County?
Across 14 years of records, July produced the most reports (25), followed by the months either side of it. Monthly totals:
| Month | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.0% |
| February | 0 | 0.0% |
| March | 0 | 0.0% |
| April | 1 | 1.6% |
| May | 7 | 11.3% |
| June | 10 | 16.1% |
| July | 25 | 40.3% |
| August | 15 | 24.2% |
| September | 4 | 6.5% |
| October | 0 | 0.0% |
| November | 0 | 0.0% |
| December | 0 | 0.0% |
Nearby counties in South Dakota
Pennington County (1,392)Meade County (831)Custer County (565)Harding County (461)Jackson County (429)Perkins County (405)Brown County (400)Oglala Lakota County (399)Butte County (394)Lawrence County (390)Fall River County (384)Minnehaha County (351)
See all 66 South Dakota counties →
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About these numbers
Every row above is a report filed with the National Weather Service and archived in the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (FIPS 46111). Reports are eyewitness, trained-spotter and damage-survey observations, so they cluster near roads and towns and miss storms over empty country. Hail sizes are estimates. Damage figures are preliminary as filed and are never revised in this archive. Use this page for background, not for an insurance claim, a legal filing, or a roof assessment — for those, get the official record from NOAA directly.