Alert archive / South Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Aberdeen, SD
NWS Aberdeen, SD issued this tornado warning at Jul 2, 2026, 3:19 PM CDT for Buffalo County, South Dakota. It was in force for 26 min. 1 report 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 2, 2026, 3:19 PM CDT (20:19 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 2, 2026, 3:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Aberdeen, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.75 in
County Buffalo County, SD
The radar
The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 155 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:18 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 3:55 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 62 | 3 N Gann Valley, SD | Mesonet station 201 Gann Valley (SDDOT). |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 2:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The text
As transmitted.
250
WFUS53 KABR 022019
TORABR
SDC017-022045-
/O.NEW.KABR.TO.W.0007.260702T2019Z-260702T2045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
319 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Buffalo County in central South Dakota...
* Until 345 PM CDT.
* At 318 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Gann Valley, or
24 miles north of Kimball, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 314 PM, a tornado
was reported 11 miles northeast of Gann Valley.
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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Buffalo County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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.
&&
LAT...LON 4406 9900 4420 9895 4419 9893 4414 9892
4403 9893
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 205DEG 15KT 4410 9895
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
SRF1 follow-up statement
988
WWUS53 KABR 022033
SVSABR
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
333 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
SDC017-022045-
/O.CON.KABR.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260702T2045Z/
Buffalo SD-
333 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN BUFFALO COUNTY...
At 333 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of Danforth, or 25 miles east of Fort
Thompson, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Buffalo County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4420 9895 4419 9893 4413 9892 4407 9893
4410 9899
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 186DEG 21KT 4414 9892
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
SRFWhat 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 Aberdeen, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 2, 2:34 PM CDT, 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- There is an Enhanced (3 of 5) to Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather this afternoon through tonight over much of the region. Main hazards will be large hail 1 to 2 inches in diameter and severe wind gusts of 60-80 mph. Additionally, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.
- There is a Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather Friday afternoon through Saturday morning over much of the region. Main hazards will be large hail 1 to 2 inches in diameter and severe wind gusts of 60-75 mph.
- Smoke from wildfires across the Western U.S. and Canada will continue to remain mostly aloft through at least late Friday.
- Near to above normal temperatures are expected throughout the seven day forecast, with the warmest readings, possibly as much as 10 degrees above normal, running up into the low 90s between late this week through the middle of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 2:34 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is an Enhanced (3 of 5) to Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather this afternoon through tonight over much of the region. Main hazards will be large hail 1 to 2 inches in diameter and severe wind gusts of 60-80 mph. Additionally, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. - There is a Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather Friday afternoon through Saturday morning over much of the region. Main hazards will be large hail 1 to 2 inches in diameter and severe wind gusts of 60-75 mph. - Smoke from wildfires across the Western U.S. and Canada will continue to remain mostly aloft through at least late Friday. - Near to above normal temperatures are expected throughout the seven day forecast, with the warmest readings, possibly as much as 10 degrees above normal, running up into the low 90s between late this week through the middle of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 Early morning convection across north central SD rolled east across the ND/SD border through about midday and produced a fairly substantial outflow boundary that has progressed southeastward across the CWA during the mid to late morning hours. We saw some initial convective shower and t-storm development along and to the north of this boundary late this morning. More robust convection kicked off along the southwestern flank of this outflow across parts of central SD(north of Pierre) which was short-lived. Now, more numerous convection is breaking out across parts of south central SD and in the Pierre and Fort Thompson area. A seasonably warm and humid air mass will remain in place across the forecast area this afternoon into tonight. Broad southwest mid level flow across the Dakotas contains multiple shortwave troughs. In addition to the aforementioned sfc outflow boundary, a stationary front is draped west to east across parts of central/southern SD with a lee of the Black Hills sfc cyclone attendant to this front across southwest/south central SD. Strong sfc heating through the afternoon will lead to atmospheric destabilization with MLCAPE values ranging from 2000-3000 J/kg. RAP13/NAM12 depict a couple areas of strongest instability developing across our southern zones, basically along and south of U.S. Hwy 212 as well across across portions of north central SD. MLCAPE values in those areas may reach the 3500-4000 J/kg range. Deep layer shear magnitudes of 35-45 kts and steep mid level lapse rates are progged to help contribute to further convective development with time through the afternoon. This is what we are already seeing signs of in the Pierre area early this afternoon. SPC continues to highlight our forecast area with an Enhanced (3 of 5) to Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather mainly during the mid afternoon hours through early Friday morning. Initial storm mode favors discrete cells that form in the vicinity of these sfc boundaries and move off said boundary toward the east-northeast. Initial hazards will be large hail and tornadoes. However, with time a more significant wind threat will develop as storms coalesce, potentially forming an MCS type structure with bowing line segments that will be capable of producing severe wind gusts up to 75 mph or stronger. With shear vectors running nearly parallel to the sfc boundary and increasing dew point depressions, outflow dominant convection will be favored with time that will support this severe wind threat. Can't rule out locally heavy rainfall with any of this convection as weak flow will lead to slower moving storms and some locales being affected by multiple cells over time. Areas that have seen decent rains lately and that are saturated will be susceptible to localized flooding. These threats will persist through the evening into the early overnight hours before conditions start to settle down early Friday morning. Early Friday morning convection will be possible across our southern and eastern zones with that activity shifting out of our area by mid morning. We'll reset the mechanisms so to speak for Friday afternoon and Friday night with much of the aforementioned thermodynamic environment parameters returning to our forecast area. SPC has highlighted our forecast area with a Slight Risk (2 of 5) for severe weather mainly for Friday afternoon through Friday night. Much the same severe hazards will be in play once again with large hail and damaging winds the main threats. Can't rule out a tornado either, but probabilities for that activity look to be confined closer to the SD/NE border. Convection is anticipated to push across our eastern zones through the overnight hours into early Saturday and perhaps could linger there through at least Saturday morning. Then, we should start to calm down with drier conditions taking hold by the latter half of Saturday through the end of the weekend. Wildfire smoke aloft is progged to continue across the region through at least the end of the day Friday, so when we aren't clouded up from thunderstorm activity, a hazy type sky can be expected. The hot and humid conditions are expected to persist through the end of the week and the holiday weekend into the first half of next week. High temperatures will likely remain in the mid 80s to low 90s for the next several days and with dew point temperatures in the 60s to around 70 degrees, overnight lows will only cool into the 60s overnight. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1241 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG Main concerns for all terminals will be convection and potential for severe wind gusts and severe hail through the remainder of today into tonight. VFR conditions can be expected at all terminals with temporary reduced cigs/vsbys if any storms cross through any of the aerodromes. Winds will generally remain east to southeasterly through the next 24 hours potentially gusting up to 25 kts at times with any storm that affect the 4 terminals capable of producing much stronger gusts. && .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. && DISCUSSION...Vipond AVIATION...Vipond
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 3:04 AM CDT, 12 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 304 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 MNZ039-046-SDZ003>011-015>023-034-036-037-051-030815- Traverse-Big Stone-Corson-Campbell-McPherson-Brown-Marshall-Roberts- Walworth-Edmunds-Day-Dewey-Potter-Faulk-Spink-Clark-Codington-Grant- Hamlin-Deuel-Sully-Hyde-Hand-Buffalo- 304 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 /204 AM MDT Thu Jul 2 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Minnesota, central South Dakota, north central South Dakota and northeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms this afternoon through the overnight hours. Main hazards are 2 inches or more in diameter hail and wind gusts 60-80 mph. Additionally, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a slight (level 2 of 5) to marginal (level 1 of 5) risk for severe storms to develop Friday afternoon into the overnight hours. These storms could have hail of 1 to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts of 60-75 mph possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be requested. Weather spotters are encouraged to submit reports to the National Weather Service in Aberdeen. The public can submit reports on our web page, Facebook page, or our X feed. SDZ033-035-045-048-030815- Stanley-Hughes-Jones-Lyman- 304 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 /204 AM MDT Thu Jul 2 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storms this afternoon through the overnight hours. Main hazards are 2 inches or more in diameter hail and wind gusts 60-80 mph. Additionally, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a slight (level 2 of 5) to marginal (level 1 of 5) risk for severe storms to develop Friday afternoon into the overnight hours. These storms could have hail of 1 to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts of 60-75 mph possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be requested. Weather spotters are encouraged to submit reports to the National Weather Service in Aberdeen. The public can submit reports on our web page, Facebook page, or our X feed.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 2, 12:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
1242 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1215 PM Funnel Cloud 1 W Blunt 44.52N 100.01W
07/02/2026 Hughes SD Storm Chaser
Storm chaser looking west reported a
rotating wall cloud with funnels.
&&
SDLocal storm report, Jul 2, 2:27 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
227 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0215 PM Hail 7 SSW Gann Valley 43.95N 99.05W
07/02/2026 E1.75 Inch Buffalo SD Trained Spotter
&&
SDLocal storm report, Jul 2, 2:37 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
237 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM Hail 7 SSW Gann Valley 43.94N 99.04W
07/02/2026 M3.00 Inch Buffalo SD Trained Spotter
Photo relayed via text, included spotter
ruler card.
&&Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:16 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
316 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0236 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SW Joe Creek Rec Area 44.08N 99.87W
07/02/2026 M64 MPH Lyman SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 285 Lower Brule 14 W
(SDDOT).
&&
RVThe office that day
Everything else NWS Aberdeen, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 5:18 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Corson | 42 min |
| Jul 2, 5:58 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Corson | 17 min |
| Jul 2, 6:25 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Corson | 35 min |
| Jul 2, 7:17 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Corson | 28 min |
| Jul 2, 8:10 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | McPherson | 35 min |
| Jul 2, 11:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Sully | 34 min |
| Jul 2, 12:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Hughes, Sully | 31 min |
| Jul 2, 1:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Hughes, Lyman, Stanley | 41 min |
| Jul 2, 1:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo | 43 min |
| Jul 2, 1:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Hughes, Lyman, Stanley | 61 min |
| Jul 2, 2:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo | 47 min |
| Jul 2, 2:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hyde, Lyman | 42 min |
| Jul 2, 2:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Lyman | 47 min |
| Jul 2, 2:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ABR | Buffalo | 33 min |
| Jul 2, 3:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hyde | 42 min |
| Jul 2, 3:07 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Stanley | 6 hr |
| Jul 2, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hyde | 38 min |
| Jul 2, 3:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Lyman | 47 min |
| Jul 2, 3:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hand | 44 min |
| Jul 2, 3:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hand | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 3:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Lyman | 17 min |
| Jul 2, 3:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Hand | 38 min |
| Jul 2, 3:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ABR | Hand | 34 min |
| Jul 2, 4:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo | 30 min |
| Jul 2, 4:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Buffalo, Hand | 31 min |
| Jul 2, 4:44 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ABR | Clark | 31 min |
| Jul 2, 5:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Clark, Hamlin | 47 min |
| Jul 2, 5:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ABR | Clark, Hamlin | 40 min |
| Jul 2, 5:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Clark, Codington, Hamlin | 52 min |
| Jul 2, 6:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Clark, Codington, Deuel, Hamlin | 66 min |
| Jul 2, 6:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ABR | Hamlin | 44 min |
| Jul 2, 6:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ABR | Codington, Deuel, Grant | 46 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in South Dakota, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.