Edgemont, SD Hail Storm – July 2025

On July 14, 2025, severe thunderstorms produced hail up to 1.5 inches near Edgemont, South Dakota. The storm concluded after a long late-afternoon to evening run of repeated hail alerts.

What Happened

The first hail alert for Edgemont came at 4:07 PM CDT with a 1-inch estimate from dual-polarization radar. Additional alerts followed at 4:42 PM, 4:49 PM, 5:10 PM, 5:16 PM, 5:40 PM, 6:04 PM, 6:13 PM, 6:29 PM, 6:37 PM, 6:53 PM, 7:37 PM, and 9:34 PM CDT.

Radar estimates ranged from 1 inch to 1.5 inches. Several alerts carried dual-polarization radar confidence. Three alerts were supported by radar and spotter verification at 5:10 PM, 5:40 PM, and 6:04 PM CDT. The peak hail size of 1.5 inches was detected at 6:29 PM CDT. Later alerts kept hail potential in the 1-inch range through the evening.

The sequence stretched across more than five hours. The most concentrated period ran from late afternoon into early evening, with repeated hail signatures inside the warning area.

Damage Assessment

Hail between 1 inch and 1.5 inches can affect roofs, siding, gutters, vents, and exterior trim. In Edgemont, that size range also raises the chance of broken window screens, bruised soft metals, and impact marks on vehicles left outside during the storm window.

The spotter-verified alerts support a field-checked hail event, not just a radar-only signal. Contractors should expect scattered property calls rather than a single uniform damage pattern. Roof hits may vary block by block inside the warning area.

For inspections, prioritize steep-slope roofs, older asphalt shingles, exposed HVAC fins, skylights, and west- and south-facing elevations that took the longest exposure. Use photo documentation on every address. Note impact count, shingle granule loss, cracked seal strips, and dented metal components separately. For multifamily and commercial sites, check parapet caps, roof penetrations, condensers, and soft metal flashings.

What Contractors Should Know

The alert timeline suggests a drawn-out hail threat. Crew planning should account for multiple inspection passes, not a single post-storm sweep. Properties checked after the first round of alerts may have seen later hail cycles as the system stayed in place through the evening.

Estimate-based call volume will likely cluster around roofs and vehicles. Start with the heaviest exposure routes in and around Edgemont, then expand into the surrounding warning area for cross-checks on nearby addresses. Look for repeat impacts on the same roof slopes, especially where 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch hail sizes were detected.

When triaging leads, separate visible impact evidence from owner reports. Dents on gutters, downspouts, window trim, and metal roofs can be easier to verify than shingle losses in daylight. On commercial jobs, schedule a second look if the first inspection happened before the final 9:34 PM CDT alert.

Edgemont, SD Hail Storm – July 2025

NWS WARNING AREAS · 75

What Happened

Damage Assessment

What Contractors Should Know

Storm Details

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