Alert archive / South Dakota / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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.
- 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
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
$$
Weisser2 follow-up statements
415
WGUS73 KFSD 250501
FFSFSD
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1201 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026
SDC099-250715-
/O.CON.KFSD.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260525T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Minnehaha SD-
1201 AM CDT Mon May 25 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT MONDAY FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MINNEHAHA COUNTY...
At 1201 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms that produced
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. Reports of water over roads around Lewis and Potsdam
Roads on the north side of Sioux Falls have reported a couple of
feet of water over the road.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Sioux Falls, Brandon and Ellis.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 4350 9666 4350 9668 4350 9675 4350 9677
4350 9678 4350 9688 4362 9685 4360 9656
4350 9660
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...2-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
Weisser057
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
$$
IGWhat 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
&&
MMLocal 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
&&
MMLocal 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
&&
MMLocal 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.
&&
IGLocal 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.
&&
IGLocal 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.
&&
IGThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 7:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Yankton | 47 min |
| May 24, 7:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Moody | 51 min |
| May 24, 7:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Yankton | 48 min |
| May 24, 8:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Hutchinson, Turner | 44 min |
| May 24, 8:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Clay, Turner, Yankton | 38 min |
| May 24, 8:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Hutchinson, Turner | 49 min |
| May 24, 9:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Minnehaha, Turner | 51 min |
| May 24, 10:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | McCook | 41 min |
| May 24, 10:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Minnehaha, Turner | 50 min |
| May 24, 10:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | McCook, Minnehaha | 39 min |
| May 24, 10:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln | 48 min |
| May 24, 11:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Minnehaha | 46 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.