Alert archive / South Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Aberdeen, SD

July 27, 2025Codington County, South Dakota

NWS Aberdeen, SD issued this tornado warning at Jul 27, 2025, 5:54 PM CDT for Codington County, South Dakota. It was in force for 36 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 27, 2025, 5:54 PM CDT (22:54 UTC)
Expired
Jul 27, 2025, 6:30 PM CDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Aberdeen, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

County Codington County, SD

The radar

The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:57 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 27, 5:58 PM CDTTORNADO7 Ne Henry, SDSeveral storm chasers have reported a tornado.
Jul 27, 6:40 PM CDTHAIL 2.75Watertown Airport, SD

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 27, 4:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 89 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 2025-07-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1882 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Aberdeen, SD at 12:00Z on 2025-07-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 67 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1882 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-246 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1193 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
67 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
40 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

216 
WFUS53 KABR 272254
TORABR
SDC029-272330-
/O.NEW.KABR.TO.W.0013.250727T2254Z-250727T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
554 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Codington County in northeastern South Dakota...

* Until 630 PM CDT.

* At 553 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Long Lake, or 7 miles northwest of Goose Lake,
  moving east at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Watertown, Goose Lake, Lake Kampeska, Sandy Shore Rec Area, 
  Tinkertown, and Memorial Park Camping Site around 600 PM CDT.
  Pelican Lake and Watertown City Park around 605 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

If on or near Long Lake and Lake Kampeska, get away from the water 
and move to safe shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you 
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Severe thunderstorms can 
produce large capsizing waves, even on small bodies of water. Move 
into dock and seek safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water 
in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4480 9720 4480 9721 4490 9749 4499 9744
      4497 9711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 285DEG 17KT 4494 9737 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

12
3 follow-up statements
452 
WWUS53 KABR 272258
SVSABR

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
558 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

SDC029-272330-
/O.CON.KABR.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-250727T2330Z/
Codington SD-
558 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CODINGTON COUNTY...

At 558 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Long Lake, or 7 miles northwest of Goose Lake, moving
east at 15 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Watertown, Goose Lake, Lake Kampeska, Pelican Lake, Sandy Shore 
  Rec Area, Memorial Park Camping Site, and Watertown City Park 
  around 605 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

If on or near Lake Kampeska, get away from the water and move to 
safe shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close 
enough to be struck by lightning. Severe thunderstorms can produce 
large capsizing waves, even on small bodies of water. Move into dock 
and seek safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a 
thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4480 9720 4480 9721 4490 9749 4499 9744
      4497 9711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 281DEG 15KT 4494 9734 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

12
553 
WWUS53 KABR 272310
SVSABR

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
610 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

SDC029-272330-
/O.CON.KABR.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-250727T2330Z/
Codington SD-
610 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CODINGTON COUNTY...

At 609 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Long Lake, or near Goose Lake, moving southeast at 10
mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Watertown, Lake Kampeska, and Memorial Park Camping Site around 
  615 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

If on or near Lake Kampeska, get away from the water and move to 
safe shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close 
enough to be struck by lightning. Severe thunderstorms can produce 
large capsizing waves, even on small bodies of water. Move into dock 
and seek safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a 
thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4480 9720 4480 9721 4490 9740 4498 9735
      4497 9711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 301DEG 7KT 4493 9734 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

12
203 
WWUS53 KABR 272321
SVSABR

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
621 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

SDC029-272330-
/O.EXP.KABR.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-250727T2330Z/
Codington SD-
621 PM CDT Sun Jul 27 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CODINGTON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 630 PM CDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
northeastern South Dakota.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
700 PM CDT.

&&

LAT...LON 4480 9720 4480 9721 4490 9740 4498 9735
      4497 9711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 285DEG 17KT 4492 9728 

$$

12

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 26, 7:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRDewey, Stanley65 min
Jul 26, 7:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRDewey46 min
Jul 26, 7:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRCorson, Dewey, Walworth16 min
Jul 26, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRDewey, Potter, Stanley, Sully49 min
Jul 26, 8:21 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningABRDewey3 hr
Jul 26, 8:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRDewey, Potter, Sully, Walworth46 min
Jul 26, 9:25 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRPotter35 min
Jul 26, 9:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHand, Hyde, Spink62 min
Jul 26, 10:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRFaulk, Hand, Hyde45 min
Jul 26, 10:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHand26 min
Jul 26, 11:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRBrown34 min
Jul 27, 2:26 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRCorson34 min
Jul 27, 11:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRGrant41 min
Jul 27, 2:01 PM CDTHeat AdvisoryABRBuffalo, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman and 1 more29 hr
Jul 27, 4:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRRoberts50 min
Jul 27, 6:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRCodington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin41 min
Jul 27, 6:47 PM CDTTornado WarningABRCodington, Hamlin31 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Dakota, 2025Every tornado warning in 2025Tornadoes in 2025

Sources

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