Hail history for Watertown, South Dakota
NOAA hail reports in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Watertown since 1956, with preliminary reports to November 3, 2026.
Readout · Watertown
- Last hail
- Jul 27, 2025
- 1.00 in, quarter size
- Hail days, last 5 years
- 5
- since Nov 3, 2021 · 13 reports
- Largest ever
- 3.00 in
- teacup · Jul 11, 2017
78 reports on 53 days since 1956 · #10 of 305 South Dakota places
Hail map · Watertown
- Under 1 in
- 1–1.75 in
- 1.75–2.5 in
- 2.5–4 in
- 4 in +
- No size
For homeowners
Roof damage after hail? Get a free inspection
Hail bruises shingles and cracks seals in ways you can't see from the ground, and most insurers set a claim deadline after the storm. The latest hail report in Watertown is from July 27, 2025. A local roofer can check and document it at no cost.
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What the record says about Watertown
The latest hail report in and around Watertown is from July 27, 2025, 1.00 in (quarter size). Since November 3, 2021 there have been 5 separate hail days; the biggest stones in that time were 2.75 in on July 27, 2025.
Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Watertown logged 43 reports on 21 hail days, about 2.1 reports a year. That is 4.8 times the median South Dakota town on this site (0.5 a year) and ranks #10 of 305 South Dakota cities and towns on this site for all-time reports. Watertown accounts for 35% of the 226 reports filed in Codington County.
10% 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 3.00 in (teacup) on July 11, 2017 near 0.85 NW Watertown.
Reports were up 69% in 2016–2025 (27) compared with 2006–2015 (16). The busiest year was 2017, with 10 reports on 3 days. Hail here peaks in July (31% of reports); 53% fall between April and June.
Reports a year 2006–2025 average
- Watertown 2.1
- Codington County 7.0
- Median South Dakota town on this site 0.5
Hail days 2006–2025
- Watertown 21
- Codington County 54
- Median South Dakota town on this site 7
Share 2 in or larger of sized reports
- Watertown 10%
- Codington County 7%
- 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 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 8 | 8 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 2021 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 2017 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 10 |
Hail days since Nov 3, 2021
| Date | Reports | Largest | Storm page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2025 | 3 | 2.75 in | — |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 3 | 1.00 in | — |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 5 | 1.75 in | — |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 1 | 1.00 in | — |
| May 30, 2022 | 1 | 1.00 in | — |
Largest hail on record
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2017 | 3.00 inteacup | 0.85 NW Watertown | Codington | 18:49 local · NCEI |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 2.75 inbaseball | 0.98 W (Aty)watertown Arpt | Codington | 17:40 local · NCEI |
| Jul 11, 2017 | 2.75 inbaseball | 1.47 NNE Watertown | Codington | 18:47 local · NCEI |
| Jul 11, 2017 | 2.50 intennis ball | 1.47 NNW Watertown | Codington | 18:47 local · NCEI |
| Jun 5, 1996 | 2.50 intennis ball | Watertown | Codington | 15:40 local · NCEI |
Size of every report
- Under 1 in 25 32%
- 1–2 in 45 58%
- 2 in + 8 10%
Most recent reports
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2025 | 1.00 inquarter | 1.2 SW Watertown | Codington | 18:12 local · NCEI |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 1.50 inping pong ball | 1.2 SW Watertown | Codington | 17:54 local · NCEI |
| Jul 27, 2025 | 2.75 inbaseball | 0.98 W (Aty)watertown Arpt | Codington | 17:40 local · NCEI |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 1.00 inquarter | 1.69 NE Watertown | Codington | 15:30 local · NCEI |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 0.88 innickel | 1.2 NW Watertown | Codington | 15:25 local · NCEI |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 0.88 innickel | 1.2 SW Watertown | Codington | 15:17 local · NCEI |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 1.00 inquarter | 1.47 E (Aty)watertown Arpt | Codington | 05:55 local · NCEI |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 0.75 inpenny | 2.54 ESE Watertown | Codington | 05:41 local · NCEI |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.49 E Watertown | Codington | 05:38 local · NCEI |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 1.2 NW Watertown | Codington | 05:35 local · NCEI |
| Jun 12, 2024 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 1.57 NW (Aty)watertown Arpt | Codington | 05:35 local · NCEI |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.85 SW (Aty)watertown Arpt | Codington | 20:27 local · NCEI |
Hail history near Watertown
Questions about hail in Watertown
How often does it hail in Watertown, South Dakota?
78 hail reports have been logged in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Watertown since 1956. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 2.1 reports a year. That ranks #10 of 305 South Dakota places by number of reports.
When is hail season in Watertown?
Most reports come in July, June, May. July alone accounts for 31% of all reports.
What is the largest hail recorded in Watertown?
3.00 in (teacup size) on July 11, 2017 near 0.85 NW Watertown. 10% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.
When did it last hail in Watertown?
The most recent report in this data is from July 27, 2025 (1.00 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 3, 2026.
How many hail storms has Watertown had in the last five years?
5 separate days with hail reports since November 3, 2021, adding up to 13 reports. The most recent was July 27, 2025.
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.