Onida, SD Hail Storm – July 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Onida, SD on July 2, 2026, producing 3-inch stones and an extended period of large hail across the late afternoon and early evening. The system generated numerous NWS alerts and multiple spotter reports across the metro.

What Happened

The event began in late morning and continued into the overnight period, with NWS alerts issued from 11:41 AM CDT on July 2 through 1:52 AM CDT on July 3. Dual-polarization radar detected repeated hail cores during the late afternoon. Radar-detected pockets of 2.0–2.5-inch hail appeared between about 2:10 PM and 4:30 PM CDT. Several warnings relied on NWS warning-only calls where radar signatures weakened.

Spotters in the Onida area supplied field observations during the storm. At 2:30 PM CDT multiple spotter photographs were relayed that included ruler cards. At 1:56 PM CDT a spotter reported severe gutter damage to a residence in the Onida metro. Around 2:10 PM CDT observers described an extended period of hail with intermittent larger stones. Later afternoon and early evening reports included locally heavy rain accompanying the hail.

The pattern produced a concentrated hail track through and near Onida, with a mix of radar-detected cores and on-the-ground spotter reports that together define where the largest impacts occurred. In several locations the NWS warning area covered a wider footprint than where spotters reported surface impacts.

Damage Assessment

Field reports document residential gutter systems ripped or severely dented at a Onida address reported at 1:56 PM CDT. Multiple spotter photographs relayed at 2:30 PM CDT show sizable stones on surfaces and include ruler cards for scale. Observers around 3:41 PM CDT described hail ranging from golf ball to baseball size during heavy rain, with the location and time estimated in those relays.

Damage patterns recorded by spotters and seen on radar indicate the most concentrated surface impacts fell along a narrow path through the metro. Roof edges, gutters, and exposed vehicle surfaces were specifically cited in field reports. The sequence of reports shows early isolated damage followed by a broader swath of impacts in late afternoon. Where spotters reported prolonged hail, observers noted continued accumulation and repeated strikes on the same structures.

Insurance and repair teams should expect a clustered loss pattern rather than uniformly distributed damage across the entire NWS warning area. The warning area outlines the general threat but does not match the precise locations where spotters documented damage. Use the spotter times and addresses as the first-pass prioritization for inspections.

What Contractors Should Know

Start targeted inspections at addresses tied to spotter reports. Prioritize the property noted at 1:56 PM CDT for gutter replacement assessment. Review the photographs relayed at 2:30 PM CDT before fieldwork to confirm hail contact points and to establish initial measure references. Expect hail-caused perforations or dents on soft metals and damage to exposed HVAC units in locations where observers reported extended hail.

Onida, SD Hail Storm – July 2026

NWS WARNING AREAS · 67

What Happened

Damage Assessment

What Contractors Should Know

Storm Details

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