Alert archive / South Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2017

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Rapid City, SD

August 12, 2017Tripp County, South Dakota

NWS Rapid City, SD issued this tornado warning at Aug 12, 2017, 4:55 PM CDT for Tripp County, South Dakota. It was in force for 50 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 12, 2017, 4:55 PM CDT (21:55 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2017, 5:45 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Rapid City, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County Tripp County, SD

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 164 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:55 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 12, 3:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 209 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Aberdeen, SD at 12:00Z on 2017-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 198 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Aberdeen, SD at 12:00Z on 2017-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 16 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
198 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-63 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1101 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
75 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Rapid City, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 12, 2:25 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 2:25 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
125 PM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Saturday)
Issued at 124 PM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017

Upper level analysis shows strong wave rotating
through eastern MT/western ND. Surface trough stretches across
western SD. Storms have started to develop across south central SD,
as well as a few scattered showers across the northern Hills and
parts of the western SD plains. Winds are around 10 kts from varying
directions, and temperatures are rising into the 70s.

Breezy southeasterly winds ahead of the surface low will contribute
to increased instability as warm, moist air moves into the region.
Best MLCAPE around 2000 J/kg with minimal CIN is expected across
central SD this afternoon. CAMs are fairly consistent in showing
storms developing across northwestern SD by mid-afternoon as the
wave pushes into that area, as well as another area of storms
forming across south central into eastern SD along a line of
enhanced Q-vector convergence ahead of the surface trough.
Northwestern SD storms may strengthen as they move southeastward and
approach the more unstable environment. Supercells with large hail
and damaging wind will be supported by 0-6 km shear of 35-45 kts,
and PWATs of 125-150% of normal indicate the potential for heavy
rain. Storms are expected to exit the CWA around midnight.

A few models are showing some fog developing late tonight into
Sunday morning across northwestern SD to the northeastern foothills.
This is supported by overnight RH values near 100% and light
upsloping winds, so have added mention of fog in grids.

A mainly dry day is expected Sunday as a weak upper ridge briefly
builds over the region, although an even weaker wave passing through
the ridge may produce some storms mainly across the southwestern 1/3
of the CWA. Decent shear and some marginal instability may result in
a few stronger storms. Highs Sunday will be in the mid 70s to mid
80s.

Ridge axis will cross the northern plains Monday, and temps will
warm slightly. A series of waves associated with a Canadian low
pressure system will begin approaching the area in southwest flow,
the first of which is expected to spark another round of showers and
thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening. Decent instability and
shear will support strong to severe storms again. Chances for
showers/storms will continue through midweek, although at this point
it appears the threat for severe weather will gradually diminish.
Both the GFS and ECMWF agree on a broad ridge building over the
western CONUS towards the end of the week, bringing drier weather.
Temperatures are expected to be near average through the week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Sunday)
Issued At 1123 AM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017

Scattered afternoon/evening TSRA expected, mainly over western and
central SD. Local IFR conditions, gusty winds, and isolated
severe storms possible. Some IFR cigs/vsbys may redevelop later
tonight across northwest SD. Across northeast WY, VFR conditions
expected through the period.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Pojorlie
AVIATION...Johnson
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 7:11 AM CDT, 9 hours 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
611 AM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017

SDZ001-002-WYZ054>058-071-131300-
Harding-Perkins-Northern Campbell-Southern Campbell-Western Crook-
Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-Northeastern Crook-
611 AM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017

This Hazardous weather outlook is for portions of western South
Dakota...northeast Wyoming...and the Black Hills of Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated showers and thunderstorms will end this morning.
Scattered thunderstorms will redevelop this afternoon and persist
into the evening hours. Isolated severe thunderstorms with large
hail and damaging winds are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will occur Sunday through
Thursday. Isolated severe thunderstorms with large hail and
damaging winds are possible Monday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

SDZ012>014-024>032-041>044-046-047-049-072>074-131300-
Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach-Northern Black Hills-
Northern Foot Hills-Rapid City-Southern Foot Hills-
Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-Custer Co Plains-
Pennington Co Plains-Haakon-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-Jackson-
Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-
Southern Meade Co Plains-Hermosa Foot Hills-
611 AM MDT Sat Aug 12 2017 /711 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2017/

This Hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
South Dakota...the Black Hills of South Dakota...and western
South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms over south central South Dakota will end
this morning.

Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and persist
into the evening hours. There is a slight risk of severe
thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds the main threat.
The most likely time will be from 100 PM to 900 PM MDT...200 PM to
1000 PM CDT. An isolated tornado is possible, especially over
south central South Dakota late this afternoon and early this
evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will occur Sunday through
Thursday. Isolated severe thunderstorms with large hail and
damaging winds are possible Sunday afternoon and evening and then
again Monday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon and early
this evening.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 12, 3:55 PM CDT, 1 hour before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
255 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0250 PM     TSTM WND GST     8 NW WITTEN             43.51N 100.20W
08/12/2017  E50 MPH          TRIPP              SD   PUBLIC

&&

ME
Special weather statement, Aug 12, 4:20 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
320 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

SDZ001-122145-
Harding SD-
320 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER NORTHEASTERN HARDING COUNTY...

At 320 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Ludlow to 11 miles southwest of Ralph to
near Buffalo. Movement was east at 40 mph.

Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Buffalo, Ludlow, Reva, Ralph, northwestern Slim Buttes, South Cave
Hills, North Cave Hills and Lake Gardner.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4594 10340 4594 10294 4537 10296 4557 10373
      4579 10358 4595 10355
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 287DEG 37KT 4591 10335 4571 10327 4555 10352

JC
Local storm report, Aug 12, 4:21 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
321 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0315 PM     HAIL             4 NNE WITTEN            43.49N 100.06W
08/12/2017  E1.00 INCH       TRIPP              SD   PUBLIC

0315 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 NNE WITTEN            43.49N 100.06W
08/12/2017  E60 MPH          TRIPP              SD   PUBLIC

&&

ME
Local storm report, Aug 12, 4:35 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
335 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     HAIL             4 E WITTEN              43.43N 100.00W
08/12/2017  E1.00 INCH       TRIPP              SD   PUBLIC

&&

ME
Local storm report, Aug 12, 4:39 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
339 PM MDT SAT AUG 12 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0320 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 SSE WITTEN            43.39N 100.07W
08/12/2017  M58 MPH          TRIPP              SD   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

&&

ME
Local storm report, Aug 12, 4:51 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Rapid City, SD issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 2:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRMellette, Tripp59 min
Aug 12, 3:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRMellette, Tripp67 min
Aug 12, 3:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementUNRHarding28 min
Aug 12, 4:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRTripp63 min
Aug 12, 4:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementUNRHarding25 min
Aug 12, 4:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRHarding, Perkins59 min
Aug 12, 5:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRTripp62 min
Aug 12, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningUNRPerkins49 min
Aug 12, 6:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementUNRPerkins37 min
Aug 12, 6:31 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryUNRMellette, Tripp3 hr
Aug 11, 9:08 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementUNRCampbell22 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Dakota, 2017Every tornado warning in 2017Tornadoes in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.