Carter, SD Hail Storm – June 2025

Carter, SD saw a concluded hail event on June 12, 2025, with peak hail up to 2 inches. The storm produced seven separate NWS alerts through the afternoon and early evening.

What Happened

The first alert came at 3:23 PM CDT with 1.75-inch hail. Additional alerts followed at 4:01 PM CDT, 4:28 PM CDT, and 4:45 PM CDT, each holding at 1 to 1.75 inches. The final two alerts came at 5:10 PM CDT and 5:27 PM CDT, both at 1.5 inches, before the last alert at 5:43 PM CDT raised the peak to 2 inches.

All seven alerts carried radar and spotter verified confidence. The storm stayed in the severe hail range for more than two hours. The sequence shows repeated hail production across the afternoon, not a single brief burst.

Damage Assessment

Hail at 1 to 1.75 inches can break soft roofing materials, dent metal components, and damage vents, gutters, and exterior trim. Roof impact often appears first on older shingles, ridge caps, and edges exposed to direct wind and hail.

The 2-inch peak increases the chance of more concentrated roof damage, fractured siding, cracked window screens, and impact marks on vehicles and outdoor equipment. Light commercial roofs, skylights, and thin gauge metal surfaces are also exposed in this size range. Interior leakage can follow when repeated impacts weaken roofing membranes or flashings.

For contractors, the alert sequence matters as much as the peak size. Seven verified alerts across the event point to multiple hail passes or a prolonged hail core. Field crews should expect uneven damage patterns across the warning area, with some roofs showing heavier impact loading than nearby structures.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with roofs, then move to the exterior envelope. Look at slopes that face the incoming storm path, followed by ridges, valleys, pipe boots, gutter faces, and soft metals. On steep-slope homes, inspect the upper courses and ridge areas where impact marks often stand out first. On commercial buildings, check membranes, perimeter metal, HVAC curbs, and unit casings.

Document hail size, impact density, and directional patterns before tarping or cleanup. Photo sets should include wide shots, close roof impacts, and test squares where granule loss or bruising is visible. If you are working claims or scheduling repairs, sort properties by repeated exposure to the strongest hail reports first. The 3:23 PM CDT through 5:43 PM CDT sequence suggests multiple field checks may be needed inside the same neighborhood.

Contractors should also compare roof findings with gutters, siding, downspouts, window screens, and vehicle damage. A 2-inch hail peak can produce uneven losses across the same block. One side of a structure may carry clear impact marks while another side shows lighter exposure. Move systematically and keep notes tied to each address.