Largest hail ever recorded
The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States fell in Vivian, South Dakota, on July 23, 2010. Measured by the National Weather Service office in Aberdeen, South Dakota, it came in at 8.00 inches across and 1 lb 15 oz (1.9375 lb). The heaviest hailstone in the world, confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization, fell in Bangladesh in 1986 and weighed 1.02 kg (2.25 lb).
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The US records
| Record | Measurement | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 8.00 inches | Vivian, South Dakota, July 23, 2010 |
| Circumference | 18.75 inches | Aurora, Nebraska, June 22, 2003 |
| Weight | 1 lb 15 oz (1.9375 lb) | Vivian, South Dakota, July 23, 2010 |
| Previous weight | 1.67 lb | Coffeyville, Kansas, September 3, 1970 |
Since 1996, these are the Storm Events Database's largest hail reports.
The Storm Events Database, kept by the National Centers for Environmental Information, is the reviewed record of severe weather reports; its modern entries start in 1996.
| Diameter (inches) | Place | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00 | Vivian | South Dakota | Jul 23, 2010 |
| 7.75 | Wichita Airport | Kansas | Sep 15, 2010 |
| 7.02 | Vigo Park | Texas | Jun 2, 2024 |
| 7.00 | Aurora | Nebraska | Jun 22, 2003 |
| 6.88 | Dante | South Dakota | Aug 21, 2007 |
| 6.60 | West Kankakee | Illinois | Mar 10, 2026 |
| 6.42 | Hondo | Texas | Apr 28, 2021 |
| 6.13 | Wagner | South Dakota | Aug 21, 2007 |
| 6.12 | Johnson City | Texas | May 9, 2024 |
| 6.00 | Meadville | Missouri | May 24, 2004 |
The world record
The World Meteorological Organization confirms the heaviest hailstone ever recorded fell in Gopalganj district, Bangladesh, on April 14, 1986. It weighed 1.02 kg (2.25 lb).
Why the Plains
Strong updrafts and cold mid-level air are what large hail needs. Both conditions are present across the Great Plains in late spring and summer, which is why the region appears often in hail records.