Buffalo, SD Hail Storm – June 2026

StormSnipe recorded hail in Buffalo, SD on June 6, 2026, peaking at a confirmed 2.22 inches during a multi-zone, late-evening storm. The event is concluded.

What Happened

The storm moved through Buffalo, SD in the early evening hours of June 6, 2026. Dual-polarization radar detected 1.51-inch hail at 8:48 PM CDT. A subsequent NWS warning at 9:26 PM CDT reported 1.00-inch hail within the same aggregate event. The compiled dataset for this multi-zone report shows a maximum hail size of 2.22 inches recorded during the event.

Alerts contributing to this report included two NWS alert products covering adjacent warning areas. One alert contained radar-detected hail indicated by dual-polarization NEXRAD signatures. The later alert came through as an NWS warning only with a 1.00-inch hail value. The alerts together define the storm's temporal span across multiple zones and provide the basis for the aggregated hail track.

Damage Assessment

Hail up to 2.22 inches in diameter passed through Buffalo, SD during the late-evening period on June 6. For properties within Buffalo city limits and nearby townships, inspect vehicle panels and exposed equipment for denting consistent with stones exceeding one inch. Roofing systems that were exposed to the reported track may show shingle granule loss, torn edges, or impact marks on composite and metal roofing surfaces.

Windows, skylights, and vinyl or aluminum siding along the mapped track should be checked for cracked glass, punctures, and displaced panels. Ground-level soft landscaping and exposed solar panels in the hail track may show surface abrasions or cracking. At this time, the alert set includes radar-detected and NWS-warning reports; field-confirmed, spotter-verified damage reports are not included in this aggregated summary.

What Contractors Should Know

Start inspections in Buffalo neighborhoods and commercial corridors inside the NWS warning areas active on the evening of June 6. Prioritize vehicles, rooftop-mounted equipment, HVAC condensers, and the windward sides of buildings noted in the warning polygons. Use photographic documentation tied to addresses and times to support repair estimates and insurance filings.

When preparing repair quotes, account for hail sizes ranging from about one inch to 2.22 inches across the aggregated track. Expect to replace or re-seal damaged shingles, assess rooftop-mounted photovoltaic panels for microfractures, and evaluate siding fasteners and trim for impact-related loosening. Schedule initial field assessments promptly to capture pre-repair conditions and to coordinate with property owners and insurers.

See the Strike Map for the precise hail track and damage zone locations associated with this multi-zone event.