Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 233, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

August 18, 2026Brule County, Charles Mix County, Gregory County, South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 18, 2026, 2:24 AM CDT for Brule County, Charles Mix County, Gregory County, South Dakota. It was in force for 32 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 18, 2026, 2:24 AM CDT (07:24 UTC)
Expired
Aug 18, 2026, 2:56 AM CDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
50.0 mph

Counties Brule County, SD, Charles Mix County, SD, Gregory County, SD

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 207 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:24 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 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 nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 164 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 2026-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1577 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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 2026-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 18 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1577 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1675 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
52 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

630 
WUUS53 KFSD 180724
SVRFSD
SDC015-023-053-180815-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0233.260818T0724Z-260818T0815Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
224 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Charles Mix County in south central South Dakota...
  Northwestern Gregory County in south central South Dakota...
  Southwestern Brule County in south central South Dakota...

* Until 315 AM CDT.

* At 224 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest
  of Dude Ranch, or 9 miles southwest of Oacoma, moving southeast at
  45 mph.

  HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Lake Francis Case around 230 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Sioux Falls.

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9952 4350 9929 4352 9928 4357 9934
      4364 9935 4367 9947 4371 9941 4376 9942
      4382 9933 4387 9931 4359 9881 4318 9933
      4345 9954
TIME...MOT...LOC 0724Z 313DEG 41KT 4370 9953 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Samet
2 follow-up statements
364 
WWUS53 KFSD 180744
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
244 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

SDC053-180753-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0233.000000T0000Z-260818T0815Z/
Gregory SD-
244 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GREGORY COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 4371 9941 4376 9942 4383 9932 4387 9931
      4359 9881 4338 9908 4340 9915 4344 9917
      4344 9924 4348 9931 4353 9928 4358 9934
      4364 9935 4368 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0743Z 298DEG 45KT 4358 9927 

$$

SDC015-023-180815-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0233.000000T0000Z-260818T0815Z/
Charles Mix SD-Brule SD-
244 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM CDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN CHARLES MIX AND SOUTHWESTERN BRULE COUNTIES...

At 243 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles east of
Iona, or 14 miles south of Chamberlain, moving southeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northwestern Charles Mix and southwestern Brule Counties, including
the following locations... Pukwana.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
Sioux Falls.

&&

LAT...LON 4371 9941 4376 9942 4383 9932 4387 9931
      4359 9881 4338 9908 4340 9915 4344 9917
      4344 9924 4348 9931 4353 9928 4358 9934
      4364 9935 4368 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0743Z 298DEG 45KT 4358 9927 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Samet
736 
WWUS53 KFSD 180756
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
256 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

SDC015-023-180806-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0233.000000T0000Z-260818T0815Z/
Charles Mix SD-Brule SD-
256 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN CHARLES MIX AND
SOUTHWESTERN BRULE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, small hail is
still possible with this thunderstorm.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Sioux Falls.

&&

LAT...LON 4371 9941 4376 9942 4383 9932 4387 9931
      4359 9881 4338 9908 4340 9915 4344 9917
      4344 9924 4348 9931 4353 9928 4358 9934
      4364 9935 4368 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0754Z 313DEG 41KT 4348 9912 

$$

Samet

What 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 Aug 18, 1:49 AM CDT, 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers and storms move east overnight. Discrete cells are capable of producing 1-2" hail and wind gusts to 60 mph. Linear segments will be capable of wind gusts to 70 mph and marginally severe hail.
  • Lingering rain/storms this morning push the greatest risk of severe storms Tuesday afternoon and evening further south. If clouds clear and a storm can develop, it could be severe with wind and hail the main threats.
  • Rain chances persist Wednesday and Thursday, though storm track leads to lower confidence in where rain may fall. Below to near seasonal temperatures prevail.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 18, 1:49 AM CDT, 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
149 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and storms move east overnight. Discrete
  cells are capable of producing 1-2" hail and wind gusts to 60
  mph. Linear segments will be capable of wind gusts to 70 mph
  and marginally severe hail.

- Lingering rain/storms this morning push the greatest risk of
  severe storms Tuesday afternoon and evening further south. If
  clouds clear and a storm can develop, it could be severe with
  wind and hail the main threats.

- Rain chances persist Wednesday and Thursday, though storm
  track leads to lower confidence in where rain may fall. Below
  to near seasonal temperatures prevail.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 148 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Storms along the MO River which were severe have weakened below
severe limits. Attention turns to the two complexes of storms moving
southeast out of central SD which are tied to the next wave and LLJ.
Still some questions in the severity of these as they move east and
the potential for them to grow upscale.

The first of these segments is our western fringes as of our
forecast area as of 1 AM CDT. Have seen a few strong to severe wind
gusts, and these storms are initially on a gradient of higher DCAPE
(but higher values further to the south) and the edge of 850 mb WAA.
Mid level lapse rates remain around 6 deg C/km through the morning
hours with elevated instability, although soundings show this
quickly weakening through 3-4 AM CDT. Will also keep an eye on the
second cluster, which the HRRR and RAP showing to be the one to
maintain strength longer after the first cluster dies. Not sure how
much stock to put in this solution as the second cluster seems to be
following exactly behind the first, which should work over the
environment. That said, will likely still see sporadic strong to
severe storms through 4 AM. Main threat will be wind gusts to 65
mph, although quarter sized hail with more isolated updrafts.

For the rest of today, we'll see chances for isolated to scattered
showers and storms return to the area, especially if we can clear
out. CAMs remain all over the place with the timing and coverage. IF
we clear out and a storm can develop, can't entirely rule out a
stronger storm with shear around 40 knots over the area, but
confidence is low with the better forcing to our south.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 132 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

THIS AFTERNOON: Convection risks remain the primary focus in the
upcoming 24 hour period, as there continues to be uncertainty on if
we can advect sufficient moisture northward, and provide enough
focus of lift. Visible satellite this afternoon shows two areas
of interest, one area of ACCAS across northeastern South Dakota
and west central Minnesota, driven by 700 mb winds over the
crest of the Ridge. A second area of ACCAS drifting eastward out
of the Badlands area. At the surface, one concern has been a
slower arrival of boundary layer moisture as surface dewpoints
continue to linger in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Further south,
models continue to overestimate dew points in NE/KS, providing
some doubt on if the lower 70 dewpoints advertised by "high
instability" models can be realized.

The projections into the evening remain slightly uncertain with
several focusing mechanisms available.  A surface trough extending
from NW Minnesota into NE South Dakota and central South Dakota will
provide some minor convergence (focused greater over NW Minnesota
and eastern North Dakota).  A weaker pre-frontal trough in the NE
Panhandle into the Sandhills could also serve as a focal point.
Finally, a few storms may also develop over the Minnesota River
valley downstream of the Buffalo Ridge. Any storm that develops off
of these features will likely produced an increased risk for 1-2"
hail, but also 60-70 mph winds as MLCAPE pushes 2000+ J/KG and
effective shear climbs towards 40 knots.  Gradual east southeast
storm tracks within the mean flow are likely which could put
portions of SW Minnesota and the MO River valley into a higher early
evening risk. However the likely overestimation of surface dew
points, poor focus of convergence, and weak inhibition, may
also work to prohibit convection over a large part of the Tri-
State area into the evening.

Further west, additional isolated to scattered convection may form
over the western High Plains late this afternoon and evening
slightly stronger synoptic lift enters the area.  One or more
clusters of storms could reach the western CWA by mid-late evening,
bringing risks lower risk for hail, but higher risks for a few
stronger wind gusts. There continues to be some agreement in
mesoscale and lower resolution guidance that a subtle wave crossing
the Dakotas could keep scattered convection risks moving through the
CWA until at least 4am.  Weakening instability, and worsening lapse
rates should result in fewer strong to severe storms by daybreak
Tuesday. All this to say, coverage of this activity remains highly
in doubt, which will keep areal PoPs lower in general.

TUESDAY: Latest guidance continues to trend the greatest risks for
severe convection southward on Tuesday.  Overnight convection, along
with the passing shortwave should stabilize the area
considerably by daybreak, with a lingering marginal risks for
some crossover hail risks near 12Z. We may however see quite a
bit of stratus behind this wave, suggesting cooler than normal
temperatures into the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY-THURDAY: Upper troughing moving into Hudson Bay will
sharpen the NW flow over the Plains slightly by mid-week.
EC/GFS indicates vorticity crossing from the Pacific Northwest
through the Northern Rockies early on Wednesday pushing mid-lvl
lift towards the region early Wednesday. Differences on the
track of this wave keep PoPs lower, with GEFS/GFS further
northeast, and the EC leading to more impact through central
Nebraska instead. Another wave, along with a weak frontal
boundary approach Thursday afternoon. Depending on the amount of
inhibition nearby, a few thunderstorms could form along this
boundary late in the day.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY: Mid-lvl heights rise and the ridge sharpens over the
Rockies as we move into next weekend.  This transition of mid-lvl
flow could bring one final risk for elevated showers/TSRA early
Friday, but generally quiet and dry conditions then develop
into the weekend. Temperatures however will fall more under the
influence of Canadian high pressure in the Dakotas, suggesting
highs may stay in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1259 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

VFR to MVFR conditions expected for this period. Two areas of
showers and thunderstorms are ongoing at issuance. One area along
the southern Missouri River is moving southeast into northwest Iowa.
Short term guidance is in low agreement on thunderstorm evolution
and uncertainty is high. Current mesoanalysis indicates the
southerly storms are becoming elevated, which will reduce the
overall severe threat. Still, wind gusts up to 60 mph and marginally
severe hail remain possible through the next couple hours.

The second is just reaching the western border of the CWA between
Huron and Chamberlain. These storms are showing signs of upscale
growth into broken lines. These will continue to progress southeast
through the overnight hours. Currently these storms are
producing gusts of 45-50 mph. As the LLJ begins to increase
these storms have the potential of increasing in severity.
Should a more organized line with bowing segments form, severe
winds to 70 mph are possible.

All storms should be clear of the region by late morning Tuesday.
The remainder of the period should be dry with light winds. Clouds
will slowly break up through the afternoon.

&&

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

&&

UPDATE...SG
DISCUSSION...Dux
AVIATION...AJP
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 18, 1:13 AM CDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
113 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-190615-
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-
113 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 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...Tonight.

Strong to severe storms are possible overnight tonight. These storms
could produce wind gusts to 70 mph and marginally severe hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Scattered thunderstorm risks continue through Wednesday. Tuesday's
risk looks to be along and south of I-90 in the afternoon into the
evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 8:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBeadle, Kingsbury, Miner, Sanborn26 min
Aug 17, 11:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDCharles Mix, Gregory38 min
Aug 17, 11:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDCharles Mix, Douglas38 min
Aug 17, 11:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDCharles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson22 min
Aug 18, 12:57 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDAurora, Brule, Jerauld33 min
Aug 18, 1:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDAurora, Brule, Davison, Jerauld31 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.