Strong hail hits parts of South Dakota: 15 cm (6 inches) of hail in Custer

A strong hail event hit Custer, South Dakota, on Monday, July 27, 2015. The area was covered with 15.23 cm (6 inches) thick layer of hail balls, the size of which measured about 2.54 cm (1 inch) in diameter.

Mammatus clouds, prior to hailstorm. Image credit: Marcia Samuleson (via Kota Territory News)

Video credit: An Unexpected Adventure

Video credit: Life Rebooted

The hail event, itself, is not unusual, as the Black Hills are known for it. This often happen in the area, because the freezing level is closer to the ground than it is in the plains of central and eastern Keloland. Usually, the size of hail is about 2.54 cm (1 inch) or less, although the amount of it that falls in a short time span can give the appearance of snowfall.

Image credit: Linda Matheson (via Kota Territory News)

The Monday hail was the size of just under 5.08 cm (2 inches) in the northern parts of Black Hills, and 8.89 cm (3.5 inch) sized balls were reported in Hill City.

The dry weather is forecasted for the rest of this week, so the area should get a break of this, not so (un)usual, weather phenomena.

Featured image: Hail storm, Custer, South Dakota, July 28, 2015. Image credit: @beaniemark