Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 178, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 2, 2026, 5:51 PM CDT for 5 counties in South Dakota. It was in force for 39 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, 5:51 PM CDT (22:51 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 2, 2026, 6:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 39 min
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 70.0 mph
Counties Hanson County, SD, Lake County, SD, McCook County, SD, Miner County, SD, Minnehaha County, SD
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:53 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, 6:40 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 61 | 4 Nw Chester, SD | Measured on a personal weather station. |
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 severe thunderstorm 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 nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 311 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
- 152 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -173 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1469 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 38 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -1.0
The text
As transmitted.
044
WUUS53 KFSD 022251
SVRFSD
SDC061-079-087-097-099-022330-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0178.260702T2251Z-260702T2330Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
551 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Lake County in east central South Dakota...
Northwestern Minnehaha County in southeastern South Dakota...
Southeastern Miner County in east central South Dakota...
Northern McCook County in southeastern South Dakota...
Northeastern Hanson County in southeastern South Dakota...
* Until 630 PM CDT.
* At 551 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Roswell to Canova to near Spencer In McCook
County, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable
tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes,
roofs, and outbuildings.
* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
Canova around 555 PM CDT.
Salem around 600 PM CDT.
Orland around 610 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4397 9694 4368 9696 4375 9772 4387 9772
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 274DEG 36KT 4399 9765 4387 9752 4381 9757
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH
$$
Meyers1 follow-up statement
275
WWUS53 KFSD 022308
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
608 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
SDC061-079-087-097-099-022330-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260702T2330Z/
Lake SD-Minnehaha SD-Miner SD-McCook SD-Hanson SD-
608 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN LAKE...NORTHWESTERN MINNEHAHA...SOUTHEASTERN MINER...
NORTHERN MCCOOK AND NORTHEASTERN HANSON COUNTIES...
At 608 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Winfred to near Orland to near Salem, moving east
at 40 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Orland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can
develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not
immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place
of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small
interior room.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4374 9761 4388 9765 4397 9694 4368 9696
TIME...MOT...LOC 2308Z 273DEG 36KT 4397 9730 4386 9730 4380 9735
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
MeyersWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 2, 2:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 58 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Strong to severe thunderstorms have already developed along and outflow boundary this afternoon. Large hail up to 2+ inches and damaging winds to 70 mph are the main hazards with these storms. A tornado or two is possible as well.
- A second round of storms is expected this evening and night near and south of I-90. These storms look to form into a line and be capable of damaging winds to 75 mph. An isolated line embedded tornado is possible as well.
- Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Friday evening and night. This second round of storms again looks to come in the form of a line. As of now, these storms look travel along the Missouri River Valley with damaging winds to 70 mph being the main hazard.
- With multiple periods of thunderstorms in the region, flooding becomes a concern for any locations seeing multiple rounds of heavy rainfall. A Flood Watch has been issued for all of northwest Iowa through Friday morning.
- While severe weather is unlikely on July 4th, isolated to scattered showers and storms are possible.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 2:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 58 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
253 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Strong to severe thunderstorms have already developed along
and outflow boundary this afternoon. Large hail up to 2+
inches and damaging winds to 70 mph are the main hazards with
these storms. A tornado or two is possible as well.
- A second round of storms is expected this evening and night
near and south of I-90. These storms look to form into a line
and be capable of damaging winds to 75 mph. An isolated line
embedded tornado is possible as well.
- Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Friday
evening and night. This second round of storms again looks to
come in the form of a line. As of now, these storms look
travel along the Missouri River Valley with damaging winds to
70 mph being the main hazard.
- With multiple periods of thunderstorms in the region, flooding
becomes a concern for any locations seeing multiple rounds of
heavy rainfall. A Flood Watch has been issued for all of
northwest Iowa through Friday morning.
- While severe weather is unlikely on July 4th, isolated to
scattered showers and storms are possible.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 245 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
A complex convective evolution is expected for the rest of today,
including the evening and overnight hours, as multiple boundaries
will be in play. An outflow boundary from storms in North Dakota has
pushed into the area near and south of highway-14 corridor early
this afternoon. Thunderstorms, some of which are strong to severe
already, There is also a second boundary near I-90 that served as
the focal point for this mornings storms.
The first round of storms have already fired along the first outflow
boundary from the North Dakota storms. These storms look to affect
locations north of I-90, but especially along and near highway-14.
These storms will be in a favorable environment characterized by
effective shear values up to around 40 knots. Hodographs show a
little curvature in the lowest 0-3 km. But the bulk of the shear
will remain aloft as the right entrance of an upper level jet streak
begins to push off to the northeast. CAPE values will be more than
sufficient with MLCAPE values up to and exceeding 2,500 J/kg. DCAPE
will also be sufficient near to above 1,000 J/kg. Thus, Large hail
up to 2+ inches in diameter and damaging winds to 70 mph will be the
primary hazards. A tornado or two is also possible should a storm
ride along the outflow boundary and efficiently ingest it's
helicity.
This round of storms will be coming to an end by the later evening
hours. However, another shortwave trough will be pushing into the
area, developing a second round of storms along the second boundary.
This second round looks to grow upscale into a mesoscale convective
system (MCS) and push eastwards across locations generally near and
south of I-90. With the upper level jet pushing away from the area,
overall vertical shear profiles will be beginning to weaken.
However, the low level jet will be strengthening which will allow
the MCS to maintain its strength through the overnight hours. Plenty
of elevated instability will be availability in excess of 1,000 to
2,000 J/kg. Vertical shear values will remain sufficient at 40
knots. 0-3 km shear will be a bit on the weak side with magnitudes
up to 20-25 knots. This shear vector may be oriented perpendicularly
off of the MCS which suggests that a tornado threat is possible.
Though this will depend on how the storms and their respective
orientation play out. DCAPE values will remain near 1,000 J/kg but
min to max theta-e difference value's will be low, down to about
-25K. Thus, damaging winds to 75 mph will be the main hazard.
Another round of storms is possible for the day on Friday. With the
previously mentioned shortwave trough east of the area, the daylight
hours for Friday look to be on the drier side due to subsidence on
the backside of the departing wave. Some isolated showers may
persist though. The next chance for strong to severe storms will
come on Friday evening and night. As of now, the latest hi-res
guidance is showing another MCS tracking near to down the Missouri
River Friday night. The environment looks to be more than sufficient
with instability values up to 2,000 to 3,000 J/kg. Effective shear
values up to 40-50 knots will coincide with the larger instability.
0-3 km shear will be stronger at 30-35 knots. Like Friday's storms,
there is some uncertainty regarding the orientation of the 0-3 km
shear vector. If a proper orientation can be achieved, then a line
embedded tornado threat can develop. Min to max theta-e difference
will again be sufficient, down to around -25K. This will support the
potential for damaging wind gusts as the MCS passes through. gusts
may exceed 70 mph. Golf ball size hail could be possible in the
initial developmental stage before a quick transition to a linear
mode occurs. There remains uncertainty regarding the location of
this potential MCS as its overall evolution will be dependent on how
Thursday's storms pan out. Any severe storm threat should be coming
to an end near daybreak Saturday morning. Aside from the severe
storm potential, there remains the potential for flash flooding with
them as well. Please see the hydrology section below for more
information.
Saturday (Independence Day) looks to have some storm potential. An
incoming surface high pressure system looks to push some of the
available moisture to the south of the area. While this does not
mean there will be no instability, it does suggest that the
strongest storms will be off to the south of the as the best frontal
forcing looks to lie near or south of I-80. That said, non-severe
storms are possible which could affect holiday plans. Too early to
say for sure when and where these storms could track. Continue to
monitor the latest forecast for the most up to date information.
The rest of the weekend and first half of next week could feature
additional chances for showers and storms. This potential is
uncertain at this time as the better upper level jet will push away
from the Northern Plains, leaving weaker forcing for this period of
time. As of now, have not strayed the NBM's PoPs at this time.
Otherwise, temperatures look to remain in the 80s to potentially
reaching into the low 90s in a few spots.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1241 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
Latest satellite shows remnant cloud cover across areas along
and east of I-29 early this afternoon. A few showers remain
along and north of highway-20. An outflow boundary is also
present mainly near KHON. This boundary looks to serve as the
focal point for new thunderstorm development this afternoon
around KHON. These storms will push off to the northeast through
the afternoon and evening hours before another round of
thunderstorms develops late this evening and overnight. The bulk
of the storms looks to affect locations mainly south of I-90.
These storms will push east of the area by the morning hours
tomorrow. Ceilings and visibilities look to fall to MVFR levels
or lower in the storms themselves. Additional showers could pass
through the area during the morning hours tomorrow but
confidence is not high enough to include in a TAF at this time.
There remains uncertainty regarding the exact location and timing of
storms. Changes in the forecast in the next TAF update as well as
amendments are possible.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 245 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
Individual model guidance, along with PMM from the
HREF continues to indicate the potential for 1-3 inches of rain with
pockets exceeding 4 inches in some locations. This, combined with
saturated ground from recent rainfall, may result in enhanced
runoff. Confidence remains low in the exact location or areal extent
of higher rainfall but there appears to be agreement in a west to
east stripe of enhanced rain totals across NW IA this evening and
overnight that would be capable of flash flooding. This idea has
some support from NWM rapid onset flooding probabilities. In
addition to flash flooding, guidance would also suggest some minor
to perhaps moderate river flooding is also possible by this weekend.
&&
.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
MN...None.
IA...Flood Watch through Friday morning for IAZ001>003-012>014-
020>022-031-032.
NE...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...Meyers
AVIATION...Meyers
HYDROLOGY...KalinHazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 3:14 AM CDT, 14 hours 37 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 314 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-030815- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory- Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- 314 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible this morning over parts of northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. The main threats will be quarter sized hail and wind gusts around 50 to 60 mph. The bigger concern comes this evening into the overnight hours when a complex of thunderstorms is expected to move into the area from the northwest. These storms will be capable of producing wind gusts to 75 mph and heavy rainfall. If a storm can develop this afternoon, 2 inch hail, an isolated tornado and wind gusts to 70 mph are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Another round of potential severe storms and heavy rainfall will move into the area on Friday evening and Friday night. Details are uncertain at this time. It's important to monitor the forecast over the coming days heading into the holiday weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 2, 5:25 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
525 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0511 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SW Iroquois 44.33N 97.93W
07/02/2026 M67 MPH Beadle SD Public
Personal weather station.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Jul 2, 5:35 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
535 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0531 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSW Bancroft 44.44N 97.79W
07/02/2026 M69 MPH Kingsbury SD Public
Measured by personal weather station.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Jul 2, 5:36 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
536 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0503 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNW Huron 44.39N 98.23W
07/02/2026 M105 MPH Beadle SD ASOS
ASOS station KHON Huron Regional Airport.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Jul 2, 5:39 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
539 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0510 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 N Artesian 44.09N 97.91W
07/02/2026 M60 MPH Sanborn SD Mesonet
SD Mesonet site.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Jul 2, 5:42 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
542 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0529 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SW Iroquois 44.33N 97.93W
07/02/2026 M72 MPH Beadle SD Public
Personal weather station.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Jul 2, 5:50 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
550 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0540 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 9 N Yale 44.57N 98.01W
07/02/2026 M59 MPH Beadle SD Public
SD Mesonet site 7 SW Carpenter.
&&
JCThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 1:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Brule | 44 min |
| Jul 2, 2:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Brule, Jerauld | 50 min |
| Jul 2, 2:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Jerauld | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 3:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Jerauld | 24 min |
| Jul 2, 3:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Jerauld | 37 min |
| Jul 2, 3:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Beadle, Jerauld | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Brule | 48 min |
| Jul 2, 3:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Beadle, Jerauld | 39 min |
| Jul 2, 4:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Aurora, Brule, Jerauld | 45 min |
| Jul 2, 4:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Aurora, Beadle, Davison, Jerauld, Sanborn | 46 min |
| Jul 2, 4:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Beadle, Jerauld | 45 min |
| Jul 2, 4:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Aurora, Jerauld, Sanborn | 45 min |
| Jul 2, 4:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Aurora, Jerauld, Sanborn | 48 min |
| Jul 2, 4:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Beadle, Jerauld, Sanborn | 44 min |
| Jul 2, 4:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Beadle | 43 min |
| Jul 2, 5:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Beadle, Kingsbury | 41 min |
| Jul 2, 5:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Aurora, Davison, Hanson, Miner, Sanborn | 40 min |
| Jul 2, 5:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Beadle, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, Sanborn | 50 min |
| Jul 2, 5:37 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Beadle, Kingsbury | 23 min |
| Jul 2, 5:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Beadle, Brookings, Kingsbury | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 5:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Hanson, Lake, Miner, Sanborn | 46 min |
| Jul 2, 6:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Lake | 32 min |
| Jul 2, 6:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lake, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody | 39 min |
| Jul 2, 6:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, McCook | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 6:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lake, Minnehaha, Moody | 50 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Dakota, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.