Bonesteel, SD Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm is tracking through Bonesteel, SD on August 7, 2026, producing a peak radar-detected hail size of 2.79 inches and prompting 43 NWS alerts. The storm is active and conditions may still be developing.

What Happened

Pre-dawn activity began near Bonesteel and continued in pulses through the day. NWS warnings and radar-detected hail alerts first appeared around 2:22 AM CDT, and dual-polarization radar continued to detect hail echoes across several passes from mid-morning into the early evening. Spotter and public reports arrived through the morning and midday hours, and the radar dataset showed larger cores redeveloping in the late afternoon.

Field observers reported vehicle denting at 5:05 AM CDT, and a photo-backed spotter submission arrived at 10:56 AM CDT. Two separate mPING reports recorded quarter-size hail just before midday. Trained spotters also reported quarter-size hail in Blue Earth, MN at 11:42 AM CDT. Radar-detected hail sizes varied throughout the event, with multiple dual-polarization detections in the 1.25–2.0 inch range and a strong late-afternoon core that produced a 2.75-inch radar detection around 5:18 PM CDT. NWS warning-only alerts accompanied several of the radar detections, while a subset of alerts were radar-detected or spotter-verified.

The sequence shows a multi-pulse storm environment. Early morning cores produced localized surface impacts documented by spotters. Convective redevelopment occurred in the late morning and again in the late afternoon, producing the largest radar returns so far. Activity is continuing to track generally across the region and may evolve further.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and radar indicate surface impacts concentrated along the storm track through Bonesteel and adjacent counties. At 5:05 AM CDT a spotter-verified report noted vehicle dent damage consistent with impacts in the Bonesteel area. A later spotter submission at 10:56 AM CDT included a photograph of 1.5-inch stones and visible vehicle surface damage. Two mPING submissions near mid-morning and around 12:08 PM CDT logged quarter-size hail.

Damage so far is localized to exposed vehicles and outdoor equipment where observers reported hits. The 5:05 AM CDT vehicle denting was documented as spotter-verified. The midday photo-backed report shows sufficient stone size to produce hail dents on aluminum panels and thin sheet metal. No large-area structural collapse or widespread residential roofing failures have been reported in the field submissions available to StormSnipe at this time. Reports are still being collected and may expand the geographic footprint of measured impacts.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect vehicles and outdoor assets first in areas where spotters reported hits – prioritize the Bonesteel vicinity and points along the radar-detected track. For cars and light trucks, look for circular dents 0.5–1.5 inches in diameter on hoods, roofs, and trunk lids, and inspect side mirrors and glass for chips. For siding and outdoor equipment, photograph damage with a reference ruler and note exact GPS location or nearest address for claims documentation.

Bonesteel, SD Hail Storm – August 2026

NWS WARNING AREAS · 45

What Happened

Damage Assessment

What Contractors Should Know

Storm Details

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