Alert archive / South Dakota / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 10, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

August 20, 2026Lincoln County, Turner County, South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this flash flood warning at Aug 20, 2026, 8:14 PM CDT for Lincoln County, Turner County, South Dakota. It was in force for 96 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
Aug 20, 2026, 8:14 PM CDT (01:14 UTC)
Expired
Aug 20, 2026, 9:50 PM CDT
In force
96 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Lincoln County, SD, Turner County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:18 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood 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 nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 202 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, Aberdeen, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-08-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1018 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, Aberdeen, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-08-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 34 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
1018 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-23 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1711 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
83 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

002 
WGUS53 KFSD 210114
FFWFSD
SDC083-125-210415-
/O.NEW.KFSD.FF.W.0010.260821T0114Z-260821T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
814 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  West Central Lincoln County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Northeastern Turner County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 1115 PM CDT.

* At 814 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour.
  Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
  warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lennox and Chancellor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4333 9692 4336 9700 4344 9715 4350 9715
      4350 9705 4346 9695 4342 9687 4336 9687
      4332 9688

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

JH
2 follow-up statements
204 
WGUS73 KFSD 210224
FFSFSD

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
924 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

SDC083-125-210415-
/O.CON.KFSD.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260821T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln SD-Turner SD-
924 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN AND NORTHEASTERN TURNER COUNTIES...

At 924 PM CDT, gauge reports indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have
fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is
expected. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Gauges reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lennox and Chancellor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4333 9692 4336 9700 4344 9715 4350 9715
      4350 9705 4346 9695 4342 9687 4336 9687
      4332 9688

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED

$$

IG
879 
WGUS73 KFSD 210250
FFSFSD

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
950 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

SDC083-125-210300-
/O.CAN.KFSD.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260821T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lincoln SD-Turner SD-
950 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN AND
NORTHEASTERN TURNER COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4333 9692 4336 9700 4344 9715 4350 9715
      4350 9705 4346 9695 4342 9687 4336 9687
      4332 9688

$$

IG

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Aug 20, 2:11 PM CDT, 6 hours 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated thunderstorms could develop this afternoon and evening. IF storms are able to develop, two+ inch hail and 50-70 mph winds are the main hazards. An isolated tornado is also possible.
  • Warmer temperatures continue on Friday, with another low chance (20-30%) for thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening along and south of the Missouri River.
  • Slightly cooler weather for the weekend. Saturday should remain dry with rain chances (40-70%) returning to portions of the area by Sunday morning.
  • Additional chances for rain, and potentially thunderstorms (5- 10%), are possible through the first half of next week. Details are uncertain, so continue to check the latest forecast for the most up to date information.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 20, 2:11 PM CDT, 6 hours 3 minutes before
...CORRECTION...
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
211 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated thunderstorms could develop this afternoon and
  evening. IF storms are able to develop, two+ inch hail and
  50-70 mph winds are the main hazards. An isolated tornado is
  also possible.

- Warmer temperatures continue on Friday, with another low
  chance (20-30%) for thunderstorms in the afternoon and
  evening along and south of the Missouri River.

- Slightly cooler weather for the weekend. Saturday should
  remain dry with rain chances (40-70%) returning to portions
  of the area by Sunday morning.

- Additional chances for rain, and potentially thunderstorms (5-
  10%), are possible through the first half of next week.
  Details are uncertain, so continue to check the latest
  forecast for the most up to date information.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 210 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

A light shower or two persists across southwest Minnesota this
afternoon. These showers remain ahead of a cold front that is just
pushing into the forecast area. This front will serve as the focal
point for potential severe storm development later this afternoon.
The main shortwave is just north and east of the forecast area.
However, the upper level jet will be nosing its exit region into the
southwestern half of the forecast area. This presents a bit of a
displacement in where the better shear and forcing will lie. Some
capping remains across the area but the weakest amount of capping
looks to be just along the front itself. Think that 1 to 4 storms is
possible this afternoon and evening IF storms are able to develop.
IF storms develop, more than sufficient instability will be in place
with CAPE values up to 2,000 J/kg to 2,500 J/kg as moisture pools
ahead of the front. With part of the upper level jet overhead,
vertical shear will also be sufficient with deep layer shear values
between 40 to 50 knots. DCAPE values will be highest along and just
behind the front with magnitudes up to 1,200 J/kg. Thus, Large hail
to 2+ inches and damaging winds to 50-70 mph will be the main
hazards. A low 2% chance exists for a tornado as the low level jet
begins to strengthen this evening, slightly expanding low level
hodographs and increasing 0-3km storm relative helicity (SRH) values
up to 100+ m2/s2. Any chance for severe storms for be waning through
the evening hours as nocturnal stabilization increases capping. The
previously mentioned cold front will stall out over the forecast
area tonight, leaving muggy conditions in place. With light winds
expected, patchy fog is once again possible.

Highs will remain in the 80s across the area on Friday. The
previously mentioned cold front will push through the forecast area
and end up right along the Missouri River. This could result in a
few storms developing on this boundary before quickly pushing off to
the south and east. However, latest LREF probabilities remain low
(20-30%) for a tenth of an inch of rain or more. The HREF shows
little to no probabilities for any precipitation. This is in line
with the latest hi-res guidance as the bulk of this guidance shows
storms developing south of the surface front in Nebraska. Will keep
an eye on this potential in case storms trend back north, but for
now, it looks most likely that the forecast area will remain dry
tomorrow. Low temperatures will fall to the upper 50s and low 60s
overnight.

Saturday will be a dry day as high pressure passes through the
forecast area. High temperatures will be a little cooler, only
warming to the upper 70s to low to mid 80s. The dry conditions will
be brief as the next round of rain will return on Sunday as another
shortwave trough will push into the Northern Plains. Latest
ensembles show a 40-70% chance for rainfall totals to exceed a tenth
of an inch through the day. Latest machine learning (ML) guidance
keeps the highest chances for severe storms to the west of the
forecast area. This may change over the next few days so will
continue to monitor the potential for severe storms on Sunday.

High temperatures will remain near seasonable in the upper 70s and
80s for the first half of next week. Active zonal to northwest flow
will persist aloft as well, contributing to additional risks for
showers and storms. ML guidance does shows a small increase in
potential severe storm risk, though the probabilities only 5 to 10%.
Something to keep an eye on going forwards as weak shortwaves within
the active flow can deliver additional chances for potential severe
storms.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1226 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

VFR conditions begin the TAF period. A few light showers persist
across parts of southwest Minnesota but are on the move out. A cold
front is just west of the forecast area but will push into the area
through the first half of the afternoon timeframe. Showers and
thunderstorms may develop along the front later this afternoon and
evening. Confidence is high enough to include in KFSD's TAF at this
time but trends in storm development will be monitored. Chances for
storms will end late this evening, leaving light and variable winds
for the overnight hours. Patchy fog is once again on the table
though confidence is too low to include in a TAF at this time. Light
northerly flow will finish out the TAF period.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Meyers
AVIATION...Meyers
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 20, 3:44 AM CDT, 16 hours 30 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
344 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

SDZ038-039-050-052>054-057>060-063-064-210845-
Beadle-Kingsbury-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Brule-Aurora-Davison-
Hanson-Charles Mix-Douglas-
344 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Very isolated storms may develop this afternoon and evening. If a
storm develops, severe weather is possible with 2 inch hail and 70
mph wind gusts the main threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

A few strong to severe storms are possible Friday afternoon and
evening, south of I-90.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed Thursday afternoon and evening.

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ040-055-056-061-062-065>071-210845-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-
Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Brookings-Lake-Moody-McCook-Minnehaha-
Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Union-
344 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Patchy fog, including dense fog with visibility below half a mile
continues through 9 AM.

Isolated to widely scattered storms may develop this afternoon and
evening. Storms may quickly become strong to severe, with 2 inch hail
and 75 mph wind gusts the main threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Patchy fog is possible Friday morning.

A few strong to severe storms are possible Friday afternoon and
evening, south of I-90.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed Thursday afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 20, 7:01 PM CDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
701 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

0648 PM     Hail             Humboldt                43.65N 97.07W
08/20/2026  M1.75 Inch       Minnehaha          SD   Public

&&

ER
Local storm report, Aug 20, 8:01 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
801 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

0725 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     7 WSW Wall Lake         43.49N 97.08W
08/20/2026  M76 MPH          Turner             SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station PKMS2 Parker 7NNE (SD
            Mesonet).

&&

JH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 20, 7:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDMinnehaha21 min
Aug 20, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner, Yankton45 min
Aug 20, 7:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Turner46 min
Aug 20, 8:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Union15 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Dakota, 2026Every flash flood 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.