Alert archive / South Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Aberdeen, SD

July 2, 2026Hand County, South Dakota

NWS Aberdeen, SD issued this tornado warning at Jul 2, 2026, 3:56 PM CDT for Hand County, South Dakota. It was in force for 34 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 2, 2026, 3:56 PM CDT (20:56 UTC)
Expired
Jul 2, 2026, 4:30 PM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Aberdeen, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.5 in

County Hand County, SD

The radar

The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 137 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:59 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.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 2, 2:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The text

As transmitted.

822 
WFUS53 KABR 022056
TORABR
SDC059-022130-
/O.NEW.KABR.TO.W.0008.260702T2056Z-260702T2130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
356 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Hand County in central South Dakota...

* Until 430 PM CDT.

* At 355 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 8 miles southeast of Danforth, or 27 miles southeast of
  Miller, moving northeast at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong 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
  southeastern Hand 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 4431 9878 4427 9870 4420 9870 4420 9887
      4421 9887
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 206DEG 11KT 4416 9877 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

SRF
1 follow-up statement
569 
WWUS53 KABR 022112
SVSABR

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
412 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

SDC059-022130-
/O.CON.KABR.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260702T2130Z/
Hand SD-
412 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN HAND COUNTY...

At 412 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles southeast of Danforth, or 25 miles southeast of
Miller, moving northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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
southeastern Hand 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 4431 9878 4427 9870 4420 9870 4420 9884
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 217DEG 8KT 4419 9875 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

SRF

What 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, 1 hour 22 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, 1 hour 22 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 52 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, 2:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 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, 40 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).

&&

RV
Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:28 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
328 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0256 PM     Tornado          6 S Gann Valley         43.95N 98.99W
07/02/2026                   Buffalo            SD   Storm Chaser

            Tornado on the ground.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:31 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
331 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0310 PM     Tornado          2 E Gann Valley         44.03N 98.95W
07/02/2026                   Buffalo            SD   Storm Chaser

            Several photos on X of a tornado on the
            ground near Gann Valley. Location estimated
            via radar.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:32 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
332 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0324 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 SE Reliance           43.85N 99.56W
07/02/2026  M69 MPH          Lyman              SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 54 Reliance (SDDOT).

&&

RV
Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:55 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
355 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0340 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNW Lees Corner       44.08N 99.33W
07/02/2026  M62 MPH          Buffalo            SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 289 Lees Corner (SDDOT).

&&

RV

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 2, 5:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRCorson42 min
Jul 2, 5:58 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRCorson17 min
Jul 2, 6:25 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRCorson35 min
Jul 2, 7:17 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRCorson28 min
Jul 2, 8:10 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRMcPherson35 min
Jul 2, 11:41 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRSully34 min
Jul 2, 12:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHughes, Sully31 min
Jul 2, 1:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHughes, Lyman, Stanley41 min
Jul 2, 1:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo43 min
Jul 2, 1:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHughes, Lyman, Stanley61 min
Jul 2, 2:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRBuffalo47 min
Jul 2, 2:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo, Hyde, Lyman42 min
Jul 2, 2:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRLyman47 min
Jul 2, 2:58 PM CDTTornado WarningABRBuffalo33 min
Jul 2, 3:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo, Hyde42 min
Jul 2, 3:07 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningABRBuffalo, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Stanley6 hr
Jul 2, 3:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo, Hyde38 min
Jul 2, 3:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo, Lyman47 min
Jul 2, 3:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRBuffalo, Hand44 min
Jul 2, 3:19 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedABRBuffalo26 min
Jul 2, 3:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo, Hand49 min
Jul 2, 3:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRLyman17 min
Jul 2, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRHand38 min
Jul 2, 4:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRBuffalo30 min
Jul 2, 4:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRBuffalo, Hand31 min
Jul 2, 4:44 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementABRClark31 min
Jul 2, 5:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRClark, Hamlin47 min
Jul 2, 5:35 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedABRClark, Hamlin40 min
Jul 2, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRClark, Codington, Hamlin52 min
Jul 2, 6:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatABRClark, Codington, Deuel, Hamlin66 min
Jul 2, 6:16 PM CDTTornado WarningABRHamlin44 min
Jul 2, 6:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABRCodington, Deuel, Grant46 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.