Record Hailstone Found In South Dakota On This Date

It was on this date in 2010 South Dakota unexpectedly set a new U.S. record.

A giant hailstone fell near Vivian, in the Central part of the state, that measured eight inches in diameter and weighed one pound 15 ounces - and that's after it melted a bit.  The ice chunk broke records previously set by hailstones in Nebraska and Kansas.

According to the ranch hand who found the record setting piece of ice, he estimates it was about three inches larger when he first found it.  Unfortunately tough, after putting it in the freezer, an hour long power outage hit.

Todd Heitkamp, Meteorologist with the Sioux Falls National Weather Service, says the updraft to keep a piece of ice that size in the air had to be incredible.  He also talks about "the rings" that form inside a hailstone.

For more on the record setting hailstone, CLICK HERE.