Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 290, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

August 16, 20258 counties in Minnesota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 16, 2025, 4:38 AM CDT for 8 counties in Minnesota. It was in force for 52 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 16, 2025, 4:38 AM CDT (09:38 UTC)
Expired
Aug 16, 2025, 5:30 AM CDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.88 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cottonwood County, MN, Jackson County, MN, Lincoln County, MN, Lyon County, MN, Murray County, MN, Nobles County, MN, Pipestone County, MN, Rock County, MN

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:38 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 16, 3:24 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 200 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2025-08-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3317 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2025-08-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 98 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
3317 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
702 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
98 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
136 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.9
Supercell composite
10.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 16, 3:59 AM CDT, 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Convection moving through the CWA this morning will continue to bring wind risks as it moves eastward. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms may linger into mid-day.
  • Warmest temperatures with heat index values between 100-110 degrees are expected south of I-90, though overnight storms may push highest numbers slightly further south, and cool areas near I-90.
  • Unsettled weather will continue Saturday through Monday, through greatest severe weather risk Saturday likely focus just west and then north of the CWA.
  • Sunday may feature the greatest risks for strong to severe afternoon and evening convection with a passing front with risks on Monday likely focusing south and west of the James River valley.
  • A break in the weather pattern arrives for much of next week, bringing lower dewpoints, near normal temperatures, and fewer rain risks.
  • Shower and thunderstorm threats continue Sunday into Monday with some heavy rain and severe potential again Sunday night.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 3:59 AM CDT, 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
359 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Convection moving through the CWA this morning will continue to
bring wind risks as it moves eastward.  Scattered showers and
isolated thunderstorms may linger into mid-day.

- Warmest temperatures with heat index values between 100-110
degrees are expected south of I-90, though overnight storms may push
highest numbers slightly further south, and cool areas near I-90.

- Unsettled weather will continue Saturday through Monday, through
greatest severe weather risk Saturday likely focus just west and
then north of the CWA.

- Sunday may feature the greatest risks for strong to severe
afternoon and evening convection with a passing front with risks on
Monday likely focusing south and west of the James River valley.

- A break in the weather pattern arrives for much of next week,
  bringing lower dewpoints, near normal temperatures, and fewer
  rain risks.

- Shower and thunderstorm threats continue Sunday into Monday
  with some heavy rain and severe potential again Sunday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 356 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

THIS MORNING:  Linear cluster of storms will continue to move
eastward and through the Tri-State area, likely exiting the CWA by
daybreak. Thus far, the southern extent of storms have been limited
by stronger inhibition along and south of I-90.

TODAY: In the wake of morning convection, considerable uncertainty
will remain in place through Saturday morning.  As we've seen the
past days, there may likely be a trailing axis of convergence on the
tail of the departing MCS. This lift may lead to continued mid-lvl
clouds as well as persistent scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms mostly along or north of I-90.  The convective system
will also send outflow well south, potentially near or even south of
I-90.  This outflow, potentially reinforced by lingering high based
showers could put a damper on high temperatures Saturday afternoon.
Latest short term guidance places the only areas with strong thermal
recovery near the Missouri River and into portions of NW Iowa. South
of this boundary, dew points are still expected to pool and with
highs approaching the 90s, we'll still likely reach advisory
criteria.  Further north near I-90 however uncertainty is greater,
and we'll have to monitor temperatures to see if the advisory can be
dropped earlier.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Convection risks are expected to return late
Saturday evening into Sunday morning as another strong shortwave
eject northeast into the Plains. In this case, the focus for
convection appears to be centered along the elevated warm front
situated somewhere near the northern third of the CWA after dark,
with evening convection tied to a secondary surface trough in south
central South Dakota.  There remains a fairly potent area of
instability along and south of the elevated warm front, however
shear remains very poor.  Nevertheless, with some pockets of higher
DCAPE, it's not impossible to see a few windy storm clusters develop
overnight.  Greater risks are likely posed by locally heavy rainfall
along the warm front, with slow storm motion riding parallel to the
boundary producing.  HREF max QPF output indicates potential for 1-
3" of rain, with isolated higher pockets. We'll need to keep a close
eye on where the elevated boundary is Saturday afternoon to
determine the greatest heavy rain risk.

SUNDAY: The aforementioned shortwave pivots northward by Sunday morning
but the region remains well planted within the dPVA zone of a broad
upper trough through the Plains.  Concerns are mainly focused on the
eastward progression of a surface front through central and then
eastern SODAK in the afternoon. Models indicate high instability AOA
3500+ J/KG MLCAPE, but once again, fairly modest mid-lvl shear and
some limiting inhibition.  Nevertheless isolated to scattered strong
to severe storms may be possible late Sunday afternoon through
Sunday evening.  Afternoon high temperatures rise into the upper 80s
to 90s once again, though if dew points do not pool along the
boundary, then heat index values may remain just below advisory
levels.

MONDAY: We'll try to cool down slightly Monday morning, but should
again recover back into the upper 80s to 90s in the afternoon. The
broad mid-lvl ridge over the central US will send another shortwave
into the Plains by late Monday into Monday night.  Model consensus
is all over the place with this feature however, tracking it from
the Dakotas to as far south as Nebraska and Kansas. At this point,
see no strong evidence to deviate from the populated NBM.

TUESDAY-FRIDAY:  We may enter a relative quiet stretch of weather
through the rest of the work week as an extension of the broad mid-
lvl ridge builds into the western Great Lakes. This feature will
introduce a couple of area of high pressure likely to lower dew
points slightly.  Though temperatures themselves are still expected
to remain near seasonal normals for mid-August.  There remains
consistency in a shift in the pattern towards next weekend which may
bring cooler temperatures into the Midwest.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1042 PM CDT Fri Aug 15 2025

Scattered high MVFR to VFR ceilings will persist into the early
overnight hours, with some more persistent stratus near or north
of Highway 14.

We'll see a cluster of storms already ongoing continue to track
east through the Tri-State area after midnight and through
daybreak. Latest short term guidance continues to take the main
line of storm north of I-90, with some focus near Highway 14.
Straight line winds will be possible with this line of
convection.

Saturday remains more uncertain with an increased likelihood of
lingering showers and isolated thunderstorms into the morning
and perhaps even afternoon hour north of I-90. Placement and
coverage remains too uncertain to indicate at this time.

One other thing to watch would be a convective outflow boundary
that will push south in the morning, pushing surface winds to
the north or northeast through mid-day.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     SDZ050-057>071.
MN...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     MNZ089-090-098.
IA...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032.
NE...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     NEZ013-014.

&&

DISCUSSION...Dux
AVIATION...Dux
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 15, 4:40 PM CDT, 11 hours 58 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
440 PM CDT Fri Aug 15 2025

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ089-090-NEZ013-014-SDZ067-
069>071-162145-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Nobles-Jackson-Dixon-Dakota-Lincoln-Yankton-
Union-
440 PM CDT Fri Aug 15 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Isolated thunderstorms will continue into early evening with low
severe weather risks. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may form
after dark. These storms could bring risks of half dollar size hail
and 60 mph winds. Locally heavy rainfall may also be possible,
however confidence on development remains low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Heat index values between 95 and 105 degrees are expected Saturday
afternoon.

Thunderstorm risks will remain possible Saturday and Sunday, focused
mostly in the evening and overnight hours. A few storms may be
capable of large hail and damaging winds. Continue to monitor for
forecast and thunderstorm risk changes.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MNZ071-072-080-081-097-098-SDZ038>040-050-052>066-068-162145-
Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Pipestone-Rock-Beadle-Kingsbury-
Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-
Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-
Turner-Bon Homme-
440 PM CDT Fri Aug 15 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Heat index values between 95 and 100 degrees will continue into this
evening.

An area of thunderstorms is expected to develop over the western
Dakotas and Nebraska and move northeast late this evening but more
likely after midnight. These storms, if they remain organized, may
bring a risk for straight line winds of 70 mph and golf ball size
hail. Greatest risks will be along and northeast of a line From Lake
Andes to Sioux Falls and Windom.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Heat index values between 95 and 105 degrees are expected Saturday
afternoon.

Thunderstorm risks will remain possible Saturday and Sunday, focused
mostly in the evening and overnight hours. A few storms may be
capable of large hail and damaging winds. Continue to monitor for
forecast and thunderstorm risk changes.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed after 10pm in areas along and
northwest of a line from Lake Andes to Sioux Falls to Windom, with
the greatest thunderstorm risks after midnight through 5am.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 16, 3:18 AM CDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
318 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

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

0306 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 W Lane                44.07N 98.45W
08/16/2025  M77 MPH          Jerauld            SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 305 SD RWIS Lane.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Aug 16, 3:21 AM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
321 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

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

0315 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNW Huron             44.39N 98.23W
08/16/2025  M58 MPH          Beadle             SD   Public

            Recorded at KHON ASOS.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Aug 16, 3:49 AM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
349 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

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

0334 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 W Howard              44.01N 97.55W
08/16/2025  M58 MPH          Miner              SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 297 SD RWIS Howard.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Aug 16, 4:15 AM CDT, 23 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 16, 1:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDAurora, Brule, Charles Mix, Gregory, Jerauld40 min
Aug 16, 2:10 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDAurora, Beadle, Brule, Charles Mix, Gregory, Jerauld and 1 more50 min
Aug 16, 2:43 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDAurora, Beadle, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Kingsbury and 3 more47 min
Aug 16, 3:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDBeadle, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Sanborn43 min
Aug 16, 3:23 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDBeadle, Brookings, Hanson, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook and 4 more52 min
Aug 16, 3:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBeadle, Brookings, Kingsbury41 min
Aug 16, 4:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBrookings, Lake, Minnehaha, Moody41 min
Aug 16, 2:30 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMurray, Pipestone45 min
Aug 16, 3:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMurray, Pipestone, Rock51 min
Aug 16, 5:25 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDCottonwood, Lyon, Murray50 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.