Severe Thunderstorm Warning 274, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
638 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a Level 2 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms tonight
  for areas west of Highway 281 and a Level 1 of 5 risk
  extending to the east near the I-29 corridor. The greatest
  risk for severe weather is from 10pm through 2am, with
  potential for wind gusts to 70 mph, half dollar size hail, and
  locally heavy rain.

- High heat and humidity return Thursday through the weekend.
  Afternoon heat index values could approach or exceed 100
  degrees, especially south of I-90 on Friday and Saturday.

- An active weather pattern brings low chances (20-30 percent)
  for showers and thunderstorms late Thursday night through the
  weekend. Severe weather cannot be ruled out, but confidence in
  any details is low.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 239 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

TODAY: Current radar shows light showers and thunderstorms moving
east-southeast north of Highway 14. These are expected to remain to
the north but may move more southeasterly over Minnesota. GOES water
vapor imagery shows a weak wave that is supporting these showers.
While these are not expected to become severe they could produce
isolated brief heavy rainfall and gusts to around 40 mph.

Looking again at GOES water vapor imagery we can see the main
shortwave of the day working its way east from south central
Montana. This wave will initiate convection over the Black Hills
that will move into central South Dakota between 10pm to 1am
tonight. The majority of the CAMS agree with this timing, the
outlier being the 12Z Nam Nest, which has backed off on
convection overall.

A moderately unstable environment will be in place as storms move in
with MUCAPE around 1500-2500 J/kg, 30-40 kts of 0-6 bulk shear, and
mid-level lapse rates around 7.5 C/km. However, a fairly stout cap
will already be in place, and instability is expected to
decrease as the night progresses. The greatest threat for strong
to severe thunderstorms will be over central South Dakota where
hail to the size of a half dollar, damaging wind gusts of 70
mph, and locally heavy rainfall are possible. The threat for
tornadoes is low but cannot be ruled out, especially over south
central South Dakota. This location is most likely to see deep
shear vectors perpendicular to the forcing, with winds that are
backing slightly, and therefore has the best chance for severe
thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.

As the storms move east I suspect they will transition from surface
based to elevated and weaken as they progress toward the I-29
corridor between 2-5am. As they do so the threat will transition to
damaging winds with gusts of 70 mph possible. There is also an
increasing signal for a wake low to develop behind the storms.
It may be that the wind threat will remain for an hour or two
after storms have passed.

THURSDAY: Showers may linger into mid-morning Thursday east of I-29
but things should dry out for the afternoon. Aloft a quasi-zonal
pattern settles in for the next few days. Breezy southerly winds
will help surface highs warm into the 80s to mid 90s. The
warmest temperatures are expected west of the James River
Valley. Southerly winds will also transport north higher
dewpoints in the upper 60s to mid 70s. While the forecasted
apparent temperatures remain mostly below Heat Advisory
criteria, it will still be very hot and humid. Those who'll be
outdoors need to use caution and ensure they are properly
hydrated. Lows for Thursday will be warm, in the upper 60s to
low 70s.

Late Thursday night to early Friday morning a fast moving short wave
will work through the pattern bringing a low chance (<30%) of
rain. Mid-range guidance is not in good agreement on timing and
coverage of showers and thunderstorms. They are in better
agreement of a moderately unstable environment with a strong cap
in place. The most likely scenario is some elevated showers
will form east of I-29. One exception may be for portions of
southwestern Minnesota where the cap is a bit weaker, and
updrafts may be able to punch through to initialize convection.
If they do, the greatest threat will be large hail and damaging
wind gusts.

FRIDAY-THE WEEKEND: For the rest of Friday, expect dry conditions as
the southern portion of the jet stream pushes north and forms a
ridge over the north central Plains. Another day of southerly winds,
WAA, and moisture advection will lead to hot and humid
conditions for Friday afternoon. Highs are expected to top out
in the upper 80s to mid 90s. Heat index values will be in the
upper 90s to low 100s, with the highest values along the
southern Missouri River counties. We will continue to monitor
the heat trends to determine if any heat headlines will be
needed over the next couple days. Very little relief from the
heat overnight with lows only falling to the upper 60s to 70s.

Saturday will be similar to Friday with highs climbing to the
mid 80s to mid 90s, with heat index values in the 90s to low
100s. The warmest conditions are expected south of I-90. Lows
will again be warm, in the upper 60s and 70s. A weak boundary
moves through the region Saturday into Sunday which will work
to lower dewpoints to widespread 60s. Sunday highs will still
be very warm, in the 80s to mid 90s. However, heat index values
will remain less than 100 thanks to the lower dew points.

Throughout the weekend, multiple low amplitude short waves work
through the upper ridge bringing low chances (generally <30%) for
rain and possibly thunderstorms. Guidance is in low agreement and so
confidence in timing, location, and coverage of storms is low. We
will provide updates as details become clearer.

NEXT WEEK: For most of next week the upper ridge pattern looks to
remain in place. Monday and Tuesday a series of short mid-level
waves bring chances for showers and thunderstorms. Wednesday and
Thursday look to remain mostly dry before shower chances return
again Friday. Highs will be near normal for the most part in the
upper 70s and 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 632 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

Showers and very isolated lightning continue to move east
through 3z this evening along the US Hwy 14 corridor south
toward KYKN. Further west, watching a line of storms in western
SD move east through the late evening and overnight. Some of
these storms may be strong to severe. Main threat will be after
3z through about 7z, and the line should weaken as it moves
toward the I-29 and eastward. Did include PROB30 mentions of
storms at all three sites, and expect further refinement this
evening.

Outside of convection, VFR conditions prevail. Winds out of the
south/southeast with gusts around 25 knots through the period,
which should preclude any LLWS.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.
NE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...AJP
AVIATION...SG

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
639 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

SDZ038>040-050-052>070-142345-
Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-
Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-
Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-
639 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, east
central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast
South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms spread east into south central South Dakota
later this evening. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are
possible with the greatest threat between 10 PM and 2 AM. The
strongest storms may produce hail up to half dollar size, wind gusts
up to 70 mph, and locally heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hot, humid weather may push afternoon heat index readings to around
100 degrees Friday and Saturday, especially south of the Interstate
90 corridor.

Periodic chances for thunderstorms return Friday night through the
weekend, but there is low confidence in details such timing and
severe weather threat at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ071-142345-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-
Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Union-
639 PM CDT Wed Aug 13 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and southeast South
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms may spread east overnight into
early Thursday morning, but severe weather is unlikely.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hot, humid weather may push afternoon heat index readings to around
100 degrees Friday and Saturday, especially south of the Interstate
90 corridor.

Periodic chances for thunderstorms return Thursday night through the
weekend, but there is low confidence in details such timing and
severe weather threat at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

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