Buffalo, SD Hail Storm – August 2025

Buffalo, SD saw a concluded hail storm on August 1, 2025, with peak stones to 1.75 inches. Seven NWS alerts were issued through the afternoon and evening as the storm moved across the area.

What Happened

The storm first produced 1.75-inch hail at 3:43 PM CDT, with radar and spotter verification. A second 1.75-inch alert followed at 4:16 PM CDT. Hail size then dropped to 1 inch at 6:11 PM CDT before another 1.75-inch report at 6:47 PM CDT.

The event continued into the evening. NWS alerts returned at 7:26 PM CDT with 1.75-inch hail, then 1 inch at 8:08 PM CDT. The final alert came at 9:46 PM CDT with 1.5-inch hail. All seven alerts carried radar and spotter verified confidence.

This was a multi-zone hail event with repeated large-hail reports over several hours. The alert sequence shows a storm that maintained severe hail production across multiple rounds rather than a single short-lived core.

Damage Assessment

Hail in the 1 to 1.75 inch range can affect roofs, siding, vents, skylights, soft metal trim, and vehicle panels. The upper end of this event reached 1.75 inches more than once, which places the storm in a range that often produces visible impact on asphalt shingles, window screens, and exposed roof accessories.

The mix of 1 inch, 1.5 inch, and 1.75 inch reports suggests variable damage across the warning area. Some properties may show only cosmetic loss. Others may have concentrated impact on slopes or surfaces exposed to the storm core. Contractors should expect uneven field conditions from one block to the next.

On-site checks should start with roof slopes facing the storm track, then move to gutters, downspouts, flashing, vents, condensers, and vehicle surfaces. Pay close attention to granule loss, bruising, bent metal, and impact marks around penetrations. Document all visible effects with location-specific photos and time stamps.

What Contractors Should Know

This event supports a targeted canvass in Buffalo, SD. The repeated 1.75-inch alerts make roof and exterior inspections a priority, especially on homes with older shingles, soft metal edges, or lightweight roof accessories. Crews should also check secondary structures, detached garages, and parked vehicles that may have been exposed during the late afternoon and evening rounds.

Start with properties inside the broad NWS alert area, then narrow field work using roof orientation and reported impact conditions. Look for shingle bruising, cracked tabs, hail dents on vents and flashing, and collateral hits on siding and trim. For vehicles, document hood, roof, trunk, and mirror damage separately.

Use the storm timing to sort claims by exposure window. The first hail reports arrived at 3:43 PM CDT, and the event continued through 9:46 PM CDT. That span helps separate early-struck properties from later hits where repeat hail may have added damage. Keep inspection notes tight, consistent, and tied to the observed property conditions.