Winner, SD Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail-producing storm tracked through Winner, South Dakota on August 19, 2026, producing peak 3.11-inch stones and multiple NWS warning areas. The storm produced sustained radar-detected hail signatures from before dawn into the early evening and concluded late afternoon.

What Happened

The event began in the pre-dawn hours and persisted through late afternoon, with StormSnipe aggregating 40 NWS alerts for the Winner metro on August 19. Dual-polarization radar (NEXRAD) flagged repeated large-hail signatures during mid-morning and again in the afternoon. Several NWS warning-only alerts were issued across the same corridor at intermittent times. Spotters and observers placed a concentrated report near Winner around 3:26 PM CDT, describing 40 to 50 mph wind and hail up to quarter size, with most stones smaller. Radar-detected signatures reached their largest magnitude in a mid-morning cell and again around the mid-afternoon redevelopment. The storm track crossed both town and surrounding rural areas inside the issued warning areas, producing a patchy pattern of heavier radar detections and more limited spotter reports.

Storm timing of note: a series of radar hail detections occurred in the mid-morning window, followed by the spotter-verified wind and quarter-size hail report at 3:26 PM CDT. Afternoon activity produced additional radar-derived hail alerts through roughly 5:53 PM CDT. The mix of dual-polarization radar detections and multiple NWS warning-only alerts indicates alternating periods of strong radar signatures and broader warning coverage across the same corridor.

Damage Assessment

Field reports in Winner at 3:26 PM CDT recorded 40 to 50 mph wind and hail up to quarter size. Those spotter observations indicate surface impacts concentrated near town during the mid-afternoon convective rebound. Radar detections during mid-morning and mid-afternoon identified larger hail cores inside the NWS warning areas. Where radar showed intense hail signatures, the potential existed for significantly larger stones at aloft levels than were observed at the surface near the spotter location.

On the ground, expect localized denting on vehicle panels and aluminum fixtures where quarter-size hail was reported. The 40 to 50 mph wind noted by observers increases the likelihood of limb damage and displaced lightweight outdoor equipment in the Winner town limits. Roofing granule loss and bruising of asphalt shingles may be visible on south- and west-facing exposures that received the strongest returns on radar. Inspect gutters, skylights, and thin siding materials first; these elements commonly show early evidence of impact in storms of mixed hail sizes. Photographic documentation keyed to the 3:26 PM CDT observation will aid timing and claims handling. Keep damage notes tied to the specific Winner locations and times referenced in the spotter report rather than to the broader NWS warning area.