South Dakota, 2000

Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, July 4, 2000

July 4, 2000 · NWS UNR · 6 events in 4 counties and zones

A single thunderstorm that originated along the Wyoming and Montana state line moved across west-central South Dakota. Hail the size of golfballs and baseballs were reported throughout central Meade County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$150,000
Crop damage
$75,000
Events
6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS UNR wrote it up.

A single thunderstorm that originated along the Wyoming and Montana state line moved across west-central South Dakota. Hail the size of golfballs and baseballs were reported throughout central Meade County. Also in Meade County, high winds with gusts estimated over 80 mph, caused extensive damage. Numerous sheds were blown down, homes had siding and roof damage, 2x4's were driven into walls, trees were blown over, large hay bales were rolled across fields, and six power poles were blown over. 40 lambs and ewes were killed by the large hail; with another 40 were crippled or blinded and had to be destroyed. In Ziebach County, a mobile home was damaged by high winds. Several outbuildings were also damaged.

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 112 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:54 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Butte

When
July 4, 6:53 PM MST to 7:03 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 11 mi NE of Castle Rock
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
45.083, -103.267

Hail, Meade

When
July 4, 7:40 PM MST to 8:35 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 3 mi W of Fairpt
Measured
2.5 in hail
Property damage
$100,000
Crop damage
$75,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
44.750, -102.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
July 4, 7:40 PM MST to 8:35 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 3 mi W of Fairpt
Measured
69 kt (79 mph)
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
44.750, -102.850

Hail, Ziebach

When
July 4, 9:00 PM MST to 9:10 PM MST
Where
Ziebach County, 10 mi SE of Red Scaffold
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
44.667, -101.683

Thunderstorm Wind, Haakon

When
July 4, 9:10 PM MST
Where
Haakon County, 6 mi N of Kirley
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
44.600, -101.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Ziebach

When
July 4, 9:30 PM MST
Where
Ziebach County, Cherry Creek
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.600, -101.500

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in South Dakota in 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyWarnings in South Dakota, July 2000

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5175379, 5175380, 5175381, 5175382, 5175384, 5175383.