Hail history for Salem, South Dakota
NOAA hail reports in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Salem since 1959, with preliminary reports to November 3, 2026.
Readout · Salem
- Last hail
- Jul 30, 2024
- 1.75 in, golf ball size
- Hail days, last 5 years
- 3
- since Nov 3, 2021 · 3 reports
- Largest ever
- 2.50 in
- tennis ball · Jul 22, 2023
32 reports on 28 days since 1959 · #47 of 305 South Dakota places
Hail map · Salem
- Under 1 in
- 1–1.75 in
- 1.75–2.5 in
- 2.5–4 in
- 4 in +
- No size
For homeowners
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What the record says about Salem
The latest hail report in and around Salem is from July 30, 2024, 1.75 in (golf ball size). Since November 3, 2021 there have been 3 separate hail days; the biggest stones in that time were 2.50 in on July 22, 2023.
Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Salem logged 15 reports on 12 hail days, about 0.8 reports a year. That is 67% more than the median South Dakota town on this site (0.5 a year) and ranks #47 of 305 South Dakota cities and towns on this site for all-time reports. Salem accounts for 16% of the 196 reports filed in McCook County.
6% of reports with a size were 2 inches (hen egg) or larger, against 7% for the median South Dakota town on this site. The largest hail on record here is 2.50 in (tennis ball) on July 22, 2023 near 2.5 W Salem.
Reports were down 33% in 2016–2025 (6) compared with 2006–2015 (9). The busiest year was 2012, with 3 reports on 2 days. Hail here peaks in July (38% of reports); 38% fall between April and June.
Reports a year 2006–2025 average
- Salem 0.8
- McCook County 4.8
- Median South Dakota town on this site 0.5
Hail days 2006–2025
- Salem 12
- McCook County 52
- Median South Dakota town on this site 7
Share 2 in or larger of sized reports
- Salem 6%
- McCook County 4%
- Median South Dakota town on this site 7%
Hail over time
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2018 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | 0 |
Hail days since Nov 3, 2021
| Date | Reports | Largest | Storm page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2024 | 1 | 1.75 in | — |
| Jul 22, 2023 | 1 | 2.50 in | — |
| Jul 12, 2023 | 1 | 0.75 in | — |
Largest hail on record
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2023 | 2.50 intennis ball | 2.5 W Salem | Mccook | 16:04 local · NCEI |
| Jun 5, 1999 | 2.50 intennis ball | 2 E Salem | Mccook | 23:02 local · NCEI |
| Jul 30, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 0.85 SW Salem | Mccook | 02:12 local · NCEI |
| Aug 28, 2021 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 2.76 S Salem | Mccook | 18:20 local · NCEI |
| Aug 28, 2021 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 0.85 SW Salem | Mccook | 17:58 local · NCEI |
Size of every report
- Under 1 in 8 25%
- 1–2 in 22 69%
- 2 in + 2 6%
Most recent reports
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 0.85 SW Salem | Mccook | 02:12 local · NCEI |
| Jul 22, 2023 | 2.50 intennis ball | 2.5 W Salem | Mccook | 16:04 local · NCEI |
| Jul 12, 2023 | 0.75 inpenny | 0.85 SE Salem | Mccook | 01:30 local · NCEI |
| Aug 28, 2021 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 2.76 S Salem | Mccook | 18:20 local · NCEI |
| Aug 28, 2021 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 0.85 SW Salem | Mccook | 17:58 local · NCEI |
| Jul 3, 2019 | 1.25 inhalf dollar | 1.65 ESE Salem | Mccook | 10:08 local · NCEI |
| May 5, 2012 | 1.00 inquarter | 1 W Salem | Mccook | 09:15 local · NCEI |
| May 1, 2012 | 1.25 inhalf dollar | 1 W Salem | Mccook | 15:20 local · NCEI |
| May 1, 2012 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 1.21 NW Salem | Mccook | 15:15 local · NCEI |
| Apr 9, 2011 | 1.50 inping pong ball | 3.49 S Salem | Mccook | 19:44 local · NCEI |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.85 SW Salem | Mccook | 11:41 local · NCEI |
| Jun 10, 2007 | 1.00 inquarter | 3 S Salem | Mccook | 12:07 local · NCEI |
Hail history near Salem
Questions about hail in Salem
How often does it hail in Salem, South Dakota?
32 hail reports have been logged in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Salem since 1959. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 0.8 reports a year. That ranks #47 of 305 South Dakota places by number of reports.
When is hail season in Salem?
Most reports come in July, August, May. July alone accounts for 38% of all reports.
What is the largest hail recorded in Salem?
2.50 in (tennis ball size) on July 22, 2023 near 2.5 W Salem. 6% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.
When did it last hail in Salem?
The most recent report in this data is from July 30, 2024 (1.75 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 3, 2026.
How many hail storms has Salem had in the last five years?
3 separate days with hail reports since November 3, 2021, adding up to 3 reports. The most recent was July 30, 2024.
Where does this hail data come from?
Hail reports come from the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, which the National Weather Service compiles from spotter, public, law enforcement and media reports. Recent days use preliminary NWS Local Storm Reports via the Iowa Environmental Mesonet until NOAA publishes final data. Only reported hail is counted, so areas with fewer people tend to have fewer reports.