Belle Fourche, SD Hail Storm – July 2026

What Happened

A severe hail storm tracked through Belle Fourche, SD on July 2, 2026, producing 3.69-inch stones and a prolonged sequence of radar-detected alerts across the evening. The storm generated 16 NWS hail alerts between 4:02 PM CDT and 11:35 PM CDT and produced a mix of radar-only and spotter-verified observations along its path.

Early activity began in the late afternoon with dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detections at 4:02 PM CDT and continued with repeated radar-derived alerts through the evening. A cluster of stronger radar returns occurred between about 5:20 PM CDT and 7:00 PM CDT, including a radar-plus-spotter alert at 6:56 PM CDT. Additional intense scans appeared late evening, with notable NEXRAD hail detections recorded at 9:30 PM CDT and 10:16 PM CDT. Most alerts were based on dual-polarization radar signatures. One alert was cross-verified with a spotter report at 6:56 PM CDT, and two ground observations were logged by observers.

Observers near Belle Fourche reported mainly pea- to dime-size hail at 7:16 PM CDT, while a later social-media-sourced observation estimated 1.5-inch hail at 10:45 PM CDT. Those ground reports were entered as spotter-verified Local Storm Reports and align with pockets of stronger radar reflectivity in the evening scans.

Damage Assessment

Local Storm Reports for this event record two spotter-verified hail observations, both at 1.5 inches. The 7:16 PM CDT observer described mainly pea- to dime-size hail around their position. A 10:45 PM CDT report circulated on social media and was noted by observers as an estimated 1.5-inch event. Neither Local Storm Report contained specific structural or vehicle damage claims tied to those observations.

Radar-detected hail signatures identify concentrated swaths of elevated reflectivity crossing the Belle Fourche area. Those radar swaths show multiple peaks of severe potential, notably in the mid-evening and late-evening passes. Field observers reported smaller stones at two locations despite those radar peaks, indicating a spatially mixed impact pattern across the metro area. Contractors inspecting properties should expect variable surface evidence along the radar-indicated track rather than uniform damage across the whole warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Target inspections to locations along the radar-indicated hail swath and to addresses where spotter reports were recorded. Begin with the immediate Belle Fourche urban edge and move outward along the principal storm track indicated by evening NEXRAD returns. Focus on north- and west-facing roof slopes first, and then check accessory structures and vehicles in exposed locations.

Look for hail-specific indicators that match the event profile. For small and mixed-size hail, inspect for granular coating loss on shingles, fine pitting on soft metal trim, and clustered dents on vehicle panels. For areas aligned with the late-evening radar peaks, perform close-up checks for larger impact craters in composite shingles, split edges on asphalt granules, and concentrated denting on parked vehicles.