Alert archive / South Dakota / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

May 24, 2026Minnehaha County, South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this flash flood warning at May 24, 2026, 11:29 PM CDT for Minnehaha County, South Dakota. It was in force for 72 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
May 24, 2026, 11:29 PM CDT (04:29 UTC)
Expired
May 25, 2026, 12:41 AM CDT
In force
72 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Minnehaha County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 7 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:30 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, 4.5 hours before the alert went out and 204 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 2026-05-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 29 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 2026-05-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 48 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
29 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-28 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3042 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
48 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

439 
WGUS53 KFSD 250429
FFWFSD
SDC099-250715-
/O.NEW.KFSD.FF.W.0003.260525T0429Z-260525T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1129 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Minnehaha County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 215 AM CDT.

* At 1129 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain 
  have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 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.

  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...
  Sioux Falls, Brandon and Ellis.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9666 4350 9668 4350 9675 4350 9677
      4350 9678 4350 9688 4362 9685 4360 9656
      4350 9660

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...2-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Weisser
2 follow-up statements
415 
WGUS73 KFSD 250501
FFSFSD

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1201 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026

SDC099-250715-
/O.CON.KFSD.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260525T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Minnehaha SD-
1201 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT MONDAY FOR 
SOUTHEASTERN MINNEHAHA COUNTY...

At 1201 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms that produced 
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain 
have fallen. Reports of water over roads around Lewis and Potsdam 
Roads on the north side of Sioux Falls have reported a couple of 
feet of water over the road.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

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...
  Sioux Falls, Brandon and Ellis.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9666 4350 9668 4350 9675 4350 9677
      4350 9678 4350 9688 4362 9685 4360 9656
      4350 9660

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...2-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Weisser
057 
WGUS73 KFSD 250541
FFSFSD

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1241 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026

SDC099-250551-
/O.CAN.KFSD.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260525T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Minnehaha SD-
1241 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN MINNEHAHA 
COUNTY...

Now that the heavy rainfall has ended, the flash flood warning is 
now cancelled. Any ponding in low lying areas should gradually 
recede over the coming hours as the drains catch up. Avoid any roads 
covered with water

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9666 4350 9668 4350 9675 4350 9677
      4350 9678 4350 9688 4362 9685 4360 9656
      4350 9660

$$

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 May 24, 10:50 PM CDT, 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible during the late afternoon through early overnight hours (5pm-11pm) east of Highway 281. Primary risks of 2 inch hail and 65 mph winds.
  • Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may redevelop Monday evening into Monday night over NW Iowa and NE Nebraska. Non- zero severe weather risks may bring gusty winds and hail.
  • Temperatures remain 10+ degrees above normal into mid-week, but expect a slight cooldown back to normals by next weekend.
  • Rain risks return Friday into next weekend (20-40%), however severe weather chances are very low.
Area forecast discussion, May 24, 10:50 PM CDT, 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1050 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible during the late
  afternoon through early overnight hours (5pm-11pm) east of
  Highway 281. Primary risks of 2 inch hail and 65 mph winds.

- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may redevelop Monday
  evening into Monday night over NW Iowa and NE Nebraska. Non-
  zero severe weather risks may bring gusty winds and hail.

- Temperatures remain 10+ degrees above normal into mid-week,
  but expect a slight cooldown back to normals by next weekend.

- Rain risks return Friday into next weekend (20-40%), however
  severe weather chances are very low.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1049 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

With ongoing severe weather across parts of the area, the next
update will out before 5 am on May 25th.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1211 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING: Temperatures continue to rise towards and
into the 80s this afternoon. Initial mid-lvl vorticity tracking
across South Dakota this morning will keep a narrow channel AC
focused along the Ridge and Minnesota River valley early this
afternoon. Increasing southwesterly surface flow will continue
to pull modest boundary layer moisture northward, but some of
the high-res CAMs are overdoing current moisture at mid-day.
Nevertheless, we should eventually see more consistent
mid/upr-50 dew points arrive by late afternoon. The arrival of
slightly enhanced mid-lvl lapse rates will push MLCAPE values
towards the 1500-2200 J/KG layer by late afternoon. The main
question will then become "where does initiation occur?". Some
preference today for a weak area of surface convergence and low-
lvl jet convergence towards the Highway 14 corridor and into
the Minnesota River valley after 4pm. With inhibition weakened
further south towards the MO River, additional
isolated/scattered development could take place by early evening
further west along a weak dry line near the James River valley,
but this development is much less certain and more conditional
based on weaker convergence. It's the arrival of mid-lvl
vorticity in the 00-03Z window that may help development further
develop and linger into the early overnight hours before low-
lvl flow veers and pushes convection eastward.

Regarding hazards, the increase in effective shear towards the
30-40 knot mark support a few supercells, with analogs
suggesting 1.5-2" hail potential. A few wind gusts to 60-70 mph
may be possible given steep low-lvl lapse rates, but only
modest DCAPE. The tornado risk remains very low. The west-east
slow storm movement through the Highway 14 corridor this evening
could lead lead to minor flash flood risks with HREF PMM data
suggesting 1-2" per hour rates. Storm risks lower quickly after
midnight with a quiet remaining overnight forecast.

MEMORIAL DAY: Even warmer temperatures are expected for Memorial day
as winds remain southwesterly. Highs are expected to rise into the
upper 80s to lower 90s. One thing to note will be a rise in
afternoon dewpoints towards the lower 60s that may push heat index
values into the 90s. Will also need to monitor the potential for
isolated convection to form Monday evening across portions of north
central/northwestern Iowa into northeastern Nebraska, given the
slightly dirty mid-lvl flow remaining in the Plains. Several CAMS
(more NAM based), all suggest low-end development by late afternoon
to early evening, potentially driven by weak low-lvl convergence on
the developing LLJ. Shear remains rather weak but instability and
mid-lvl lapse rates of more than sufficient. Could see a few
stronger storms with localized downburst winds and severe hail if
trigger mechanism can be determined.  This activity may quickly
weaken after sunset, but continue to drift north into the overnight
hours.

TUESDAY-THURSDAY: The middle of the week favors dry and mild
conditions as a mid-lvl ridge builds through the Plains and extends
northward into Central Canada.  Residing under the ridge of this
quasi-blocking pattern would suggest very weak flow aloft, a slight
influence from east southeasterly surface winds, and dry conditions
with afternoon CU.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY: A broad mid-lvl ridge over the CONUS remains in place
through next weekend.  However, we begin to see eastward shifts in
the the dominant surface high over the Great Lakes, allowing a
better channel of low-lvl moisture to move through the Mid/Upr MO
river valley. What develops is a nearly daily low (20-40%) risk for
shower and thunderstorms, mostly within the peak diurnal timeframe.
Shear and instability in this pattern will be quite weak, so non-
severe thunderstorms are favored.  Temperatures are also favored to
drop closer to seasonal average in the middle to upper 70s.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 634 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

Showers and thunderstorms have developed across the area late this
afternoon. The storms currently extend along a line approximately
from KMML down through about KAGZ. Some of these storms are produce
large hail and strong winds. These storms will continue to track to
the east and look to make it through the KFSD terminal area. A
little uncertainty remains for KSUX as drier air my prevent storms
from making it KSUX but did include a PROB30 group anyway. Should
see thunderstorms chances wane towards midnight or so. After that,
quiet conditions and southerly winds will persist through the night.

Winds will turn southeasterly for the day tomorrow with gusts up to
20-25 knots. There could be additional storm that develop after the
TAF period ends.

&&

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

&&

UPDATE...05
DISCUSSION...Dux
AVIATION...Meyers
Hazardous weather outlook, May 24, 12:27 PM CDT, 11 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ039-040-054>056-060>062-065>071-251730-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-
Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody-
Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Union-
1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 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...This afternoon and tonight.

Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are possible after 5pm
this afternoon and may continue through 11pm. The primary threats
will be large hail up to 2 inch hail and 65 mph wind gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Scattered thunderstorms may again be possible Monday evening and
overnight. While the risks for severe weather are low, a storm or two
could produce marginally severe hail around 1 inch and brief 50 mph
wind gusts.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed after 5pm and continuing through
11pm.

SDZ038-050-052-053-057>059-063-064-251730-
Beadle-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Charles Mix-
Douglas-
1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Additional showers and thunderstorms will be possible on Monday
mainly east of I-29.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 24, 7:50 PM CDT, 3 hours 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
750 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0747 PM     Hail             4 N Utica               43.03N 97.50W
05/24/2026  E1.00 Inch       Yankton            SD   Emergency Mngr

&&

MM
Local storm report, May 24, 8:07 PM CDT, 3 hours 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
807 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0801 PM     Hail             3 ESE Menno             43.22N 97.51W
05/24/2026  E1.50 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

&&

MM
Local storm report, May 24, 8:33 PM CDT, 2 hours 56 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
833 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0810 PM     Hail             5 WSW Mayfield          43.05N 97.40W
05/24/2026  E1.50 Inch       Yankton            SD   Law Enforcement

&&

MM
Local storm report, May 24, 9:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
940 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0905 PM     Hail             Freeman                 43.35N 97.43W
05/24/2026  M1.50 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

            Freeman Fire Rescue reported pea to
            Ping-Pong ball sized hail in Freeman. Time
            was estimated via radar.

&&

IG
Local storm report, May 24, 9:54 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
954 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0905 PM     Hail             Freeman                 43.35N 97.43W
05/24/2026  E2.00 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

            Received a photo of 2 inch hail in Freeman
            via social media. Timing was estimated from
            radar.

&&

IG
Local storm report, May 24, 10:39 PM CDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1039 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026

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

0605 PM     Hail             Woodstock               44.01N 96.10W
05/24/2026  E1.25 Inch       Pipestone          MN   Trained Spotter

            A trained spotter reported half dollar sized
            hail in Woodstock, MN. Time estimated via
            radar.

&&

IG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 24, 7:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDBon Homme, Yankton47 min
May 24, 7:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMoody51 min
May 24, 7:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDYankton48 min
May 24, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner44 min
May 24, 8:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDClay, Turner, Yankton38 min
May 24, 8:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner49 min
May 24, 9:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Minnehaha, Turner51 min
May 24, 10:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMcCook41 min
May 24, 10:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Minnehaha, Turner50 min
May 24, 10:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMcCook, Minnehaha39 min
May 24, 10:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln48 min
May 24, 11:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Minnehaha46 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.