Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 7, NWS Aberdeen, SD
NWS Aberdeen, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 2026, 6:08 PM CDT for Edmunds County, McPherson County, South Dakota. 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
- May 31, 2026, 6:08 PM CDT (23:08 UTC)
- Expired
- May 31, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 52 min
- Issued by
- NWS Aberdeen, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
Counties Edmunds County, SD, McPherson County, SD
The radar
The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:08 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 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 Aberdeen, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 31, 2:08 PM CDT, 4 hours earlier. Its key messages:
- Active pattern continues, and chances for showers and thunderstorms are in place through at least mid-week.
- There is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for all of central and portions of northeastern South Dakota this afternoon through tonight. Main threats include wind gusts of 60 mph and hail up to an inch in diameter. Brief heavy downpours with any stronger storms are possible.
- There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather Tuesday for locations along and west of the Missouri River. There is a Marginal Risk Level 1 out of 5) for severe storms for locations between the Missouri and James River. Large hail (1"+ in diameter) and wind gusts of 60+ mph are the main threats.
Area forecast discussion, May 31, 2:08 PM CDT, 4 hours before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 208 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Active pattern continues, and chances for showers and thunderstorms are in place through at least mid-week. - There is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for all of central and portions of northeastern South Dakota this afternoon through tonight. Main threats include wind gusts of 60 mph and hail up to an inch in diameter. Brief heavy downpours with any stronger storms are possible. - There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather Tuesday for locations along and west of the Missouri River. There is a Marginal Risk Level 1 out of 5) for severe storms for locations between the Missouri and James River. Large hail (1"+ in diameter) and wind gusts of 60+ mph are the main threats. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 159 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 The nearly stacked 500-850mb large closed low continues to spin over MT with several vort lobes/weak circulations spinning cyclonically around the low over WY, western SD, and MT. This pulse over WY will continue to move into western SD later on this evening with additional vort max's developing over WY and moving into western SD early Monday morning, all tracking northward. South to southeasterly WAA flow continues at 850mb to the surface. This continues to usher in moist air with dewpoints at the surface ranging in the upper 50s to the mid/upper 60s and 850mb dewpoints 11-13C. At the surface, low pressure is over northwestern SD with its occluded front tracking southeast from the low through central SD. Dry slotting is occurring as satellite indicates overall clear skies along and west of the Mo River, south of the low. Satellite also indicate cumulus clouds developing west of the James River. Through this evening, the center of the low will track over south central SD with more of an occluded surface boundary setting up north to south along the Mo River by 00Z, north of this low. Through tonight, this low and surface boundary will all track eastward with the occluded front mainly along and east of the James River by 06Z and center of low over southeastern SD. Not much movement by 12Z Monday where this system will finally tracking eastward and out of the CWA by the midday/afternoon. Cloud cover over northeastern SD/western MN will keep the atmosphere from reaching its full potential to destabilize and prevent any widespread convection. However lack of cloud cover over north central may help with additional instability. HREF/REFS surface/MuCape will be on the order of 1000-2000 j/kg east of the Mo River with potential max values of 2000-2300 j/kg as RAP is a bit more aggressive in higher cape values. The highest instability will stay south of our CWA in FSD WFO and onward. Once again we will be lacking strong bulk shear which will be at 30kts or less. It will be increasing overnight but after the convection and mainly west of the James River. Low level lapse rates will be steep with mid level lapse rates not overly impressive running around 6 to just under 7C/km. CAMs/REFS indicate spotty showers and thunderstorms here and there firing up along and east of this occluded boundary, around 00Z, with additional spotty elevated convection moving in over north central SD, per embedded shortwaves/mid level low as mentioned. These cells will track northeast with much of this activity moving out by late tonight(Cam depending). A few cells/clusters could grow vertical enough into the cooler air aloft to produce up to quarter size hail. Secondary threats are wind gusts of 60 mph and brief heavy downpours as PWATs still run 2 to 3 standard deviation above normal over northern and northeastern SD/western MN. So a Marginal Risk,(level 1/5) of severe weather continues for much of the CWA with the exception of far northeastern SD/west central MN which has a general threat of thunder and sub severe hail/winds. With this occluded front (and with triple point near center of low over our east central CWA) and UL low just to the west this sometimes sets up the threat of tornadoes. 0-1km SRH increases to about 100-150m2s2 a few hours after 00Z mainly James Valley and eastward but 0-1km shear is only up to 20kts or so. STP runs between 0.5 to potentially 1, highest over Hand/Hyde and southeastward. RAP indicates curved hodographs in this area but small due to the weak shear. So why tornadoes are not a main threat, they cannot be ruled out for a few hours if discrete cells can fall within this area of tor parameters. Confidence is very low on formation but wanted to talk about the potential threat. Monday, this closed upper low will continue to spin over the MT/Canada border with a little bit of ridging over the CWA and southwest flow aloft. High pressure will be over the region through Monday evening keeping conditions dry and winds out of the northwest. While SPC has pulled back the risk of marginal severe threat to now over far east central SD, CAMs are less than excited on the formation of storms (even with shear and marginal instability)in this area so this will be something to watch for. Our attention turns to Tuesday as winds turn southerly 850mb to the surface, east of a lee side boundary with a jet streak/shortwave energy over central SD on the eastern and southeastern side of this closed ongoing stacked low (now in Canada). This along with daytime heating and destabilization, and the low tracking east, thunderstorms are forecast to fire up head of a cold front within the warm sector over western to central SD. NAM indicates drier air aloft then what we have been dealing which will lead to more of a wind threat, however, steep lapse rates, moderate instability, and stronger bulk shear could help produce strong to severe storms. NAM Nest is the only CAM to go out this far but does show discrete cells transitioning to a line over central SD by the afternoon and tracking eastward. It is still a bit early for specifics which will be better nailed down as additional hi-res guidance comes in over the next day or so. SPC has issued a Slight risk (level 2/5) for severe storms along and west of the Mo River Tuesday (where the stronger winds aloft and better instability lies) with a Marginal Risk (level 1/5) for locations between the Mo and James River. Middle to end of next week, Clusters indicate this persistent mid level low will finally weaken as it tracks over Canada with more zonal flow/weak ridging pattern Wed/Thurs. Models hint at another closed low moving in off the Pacific and becoming an open wave with ridging over the central to eastern CONUS by the weekend. Still some discrepancies in the intensity of and position of features but do agree on this -PNA pattern continuing. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1230 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG Scattered to overcast skies continue over KABR/KATY with clear skies at KPIR and a few high clouds at KMBG. VFR/MVFR cigs are forecast through the TAF period at KABR/KATY with VFR cigs forecast at KMBG/KPIR. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue to fire up mainly east of the Missouri River this evening and over portions of north central SD a few hours later. KPIR should stay south of much of this convection. Due to the spotty nature, kept prob30 in the TAFs for thunderstorms and will amend if storms go near or over the terminals. Some storms may become strong to severe with hail up to an inch and thunderstorm wind gusts up to 55 knots possible. Any stronger storm could also cause brief drops in visibility to IFR. .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. && .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. && DISCUSSION...MMM AVIATION...MMM
Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 1:32 PM CDT, 4 hours 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 132 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 SDZ003>011-015>023-033>037-045-048-051-011845- Corson-Campbell-McPherson-Brown-Marshall-Roberts-Walworth-Edmunds- Day-Dewey-Potter-Faulk-Spink-Clark-Codington-Grant-Hamlin-Deuel- Stanley-Sully-Hughes-Hyde-Hand-Jones-Lyman-Buffalo- 132 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 /1232 PM MDT Sun May 31 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, north central South Dakota and northeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe weather is in effect for this afternoon through late this evening. Damaging wind gusts of 60 mph and hail of 1 inch in diameter are the main threats. Brief heavy downpours are a secondary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather is in effect Tuesday for locations along and west of the Missouri River. A Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 5) for severe storms is in effect for locations between the Missouri and James River. Large hail (1"+ in diameter) and wind gusts of 60+ mph are the main threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MNZ039-046-011845- Traverse-Big Stone- 132 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Minnesota. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon through early tonight. While no severe weather is anticipated, lightning will be the main threat. Small hail less then 1" in diameter is possible along with wind gusts to 50 mph in any stronger storm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 31, 4:12 PM CDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 412 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 SDZ010-312145- Edmunds SD- 412 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL EDMUNDS COUNTY THROUGH 445 PM CDT... At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Loyalton, or 7 miles southeast of Roscoe, moving north at 15 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Edmunds County. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4532 9919 4532 9928 4547 9933 4547 9914 TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 180DEG 14KT 4537 9924 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH 20
Local storm report, May 31, 4:45 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 31, 4:57 PM CDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Aberdeen, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 11:41 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Stanley | 49 min |
| May 31, 12:06 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Lyman | 39 min |
| May 31, 12:48 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Buffalo, Hand, Hyde | 42 min |
| May 31, 1:25 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Faulk, Hand | 50 min |
| May 31, 4:12 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Edmunds | 33 min |
| May 31, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Edmunds | 16 min |
| May 31, 5:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | McPherson | 29 min |
| May 31, 5:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Edmunds, McPherson | 57 min |
| May 31, 6:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | McPherson | 45 min |
| May 31, 6:43 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ABR | McPherson | 3 hr |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Dakota, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.