Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 263, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

September 1, 2026Clay County, Lincoln County, Union County, South Dakota; Lyon County, Plymouth County, Sioux County, Iowa

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 1, 2026, 9:24 PM CDT for Clay County, Lincoln County, Union County, South Dakota; Lyon County, Plymouth County, Sioux County, Iowa. It was in force for 51 min. 6 reports 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
Sep 1, 2026, 9:24 PM CDT (02:24 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2026, 10:15 PM CDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
70.0 mph

Counties Lyon County, IA, Plymouth County, IA, Sioux County, IA, Clay County, SD, Lincoln County, SD, Union County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:25 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Sep 1, 9:25 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGAlcester, SDEM reported multiple large tree branches down of 3 inches and greater. Also reported multiple power lines down. Suspected power lines were brought down by the trees. Timing aligns well with radar velocity data.
Sep 1, 9:26 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 583 Ssw Beresford, SD
Sep 1, 9:30 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 6010 Sse Alcester, SDWind measured by anemometer.
Sep 1, 9:50 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 819 Nne Hawarden, IAMeasured by personal weather station.
Sep 1, 10:02 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHull, IATree down on a powerline knocking out power for a few customers in Hull. Time estimated from radar.
Sep 1, 10:13 PM CDTHAIL 0.73 S Sioux Center, IADime size hail and couple stones slightly larger a couple miles south of Sioux Center.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 5 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 1 minutes after it went out.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 1, 3:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 189 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-09-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2941 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-09-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 94 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
2941 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-81 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1726 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
94 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
109 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
7.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

025 
WUUS53 KFSD 020224
SVRFSD
IAC119-149-167-SDC027-083-127-020315-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0263.260902T0224Z-260902T0315Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
924 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  South central Lyon County in northwestern Iowa...
  Sioux County in northwestern Iowa...
  Northern Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...
  Eastern Clay County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Southern Lincoln County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Union County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 1015 PM CDT.

* At 923 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Beresford to 7 miles south of Union Grove State
  Park, moving east at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

  SOURCE...Public. At 909 PM CDT, a 59 mph wind gust was reported 1 
           mile southeast of Vermillion.

  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...
  Akron and Alcester around 935 PM CDT.
  Hawarden around 940 PM CDT.
  Hudson around 945 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Ireton, Craig, Rock Valley, Maurice, Struble, Sioux Center, Orange
City and Hull.

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 4305 9703 4338 9618 4283 9603 4274 9696
TIME...MOT...LOC 0223Z 252DEG 44KT 4306 9679 4283 9673 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Samet
1 follow-up statement
421 
WWUS53 KFSD 020244
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
944 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

SDC027-020253-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260902T0315Z/
Clay SD-
944 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN CLAY COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
northwestern Iowa...and southeastern South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4302 9682 4308 9681 4308 9688 4310 9690
      4338 9619 4337 9617 4283 9603 4278 9658
TIME...MOT...LOC 0243Z 239DEG 32KT 4319 9666 4308 9642 4282 9634 

$$

IAC119-149-167-SDC083-127-020315-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260902T0315Z/
Lyon IA-Sioux IA-Plymouth IA-Lincoln SD-Union SD-
944 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LYON...SIOUX...NORTHERN PLYMOUTH...SOUTHEASTERN
LINCOLN AND NORTHERN UNION COUNTIES...

At 943 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Newton Hills State Park to near Hudson to near
Craig, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Public. At At 930 PM CDT, a 60 mph wind gust was reported 
         10 miles south-southeast of Alcester.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable 
         tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
         roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
  Ireton, Hudson, Maurice, Craig, Struble, Fairview, Newton Hills 
  State Park, Sioux Center, Rock Valley, Orange City, Hull and Doon.

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 4302 9682 4308 9681 4308 9688 4310 9690
      4338 9619 4337 9617 4283 9603 4278 9658
TIME...MOT...LOC 0243Z 239DEG 32KT 4319 9666 4308 9642 4282 9634 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

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 Sep 1, 6:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe weather risks increase quickly after 5pm in South Central South Dakota and North Central Nebraska, and will spread east northeast into the early overnight hours.
  • A few discrete storms could initially produce 2"+ hail, 70 mph wind gusts, and even a tornado. Eventually, storms may merge into a wind driven line as they move towards MN/IA. Storms exit around 2am.
  • Temperatures remain well above normal through the rest of this week and into the upcoming weekend, with highs in the 90s possible by mid-late week.
  • The heat and humidity may bring occasional risks for overnight thunderstorms, with some focus around late Wednesday night and again Friday morning. Exact locations of storms remain uncertain.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 6:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
636 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe weather risks increase quickly after 5pm in South
  Central South Dakota and North Central Nebraska, and will
  spread east northeast into the early overnight hours.

- A few discrete storms could initially produce 2"+ hail, 70
  mph wind gusts, and even a tornado. Eventually, storms may
  merge into a wind driven line as they move towards MN/IA.
  Storms exit around 2am.

- Temperatures remain well above normal through the rest of
  this week and into the upcoming weekend, with highs in the 90s
  possible by mid-late week.

- The heat and humidity may bring occasional risks for
  overnight thunderstorms, with some focus around late Wednesday
  night and again Friday morning. Exact locations of storms
  remain uncertain.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 111 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

THIS AFTERNOON: A complex convective setup this afternoon as a pair
of mid-lvl vorticity centers continue to pivot northeast. One
such area continues to push north of Sioux Falls, with a second
stronger area of energy now lifting northward through the
Nebraska panhandle. The result thus far has been a significantly
contaminated warm sector with plenty of mid-upr clouds over the
Tri-State region. At the surface, a stationary boundary/warm
front currently stretches from the Platte River to north of
Omaha and north of Ames. The airmass north of this boundary
continues to warm, suggesting some potential for a northward
push in this front by evening as deeper synoptic lift arrives,
but for the most part this area will remain capped to surface
based convection into late afternoon.

LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING/TONIGHT:  We'll continue to see MLCAPE values
climb upwards through the afternoon, potentially between
2000-3000 J/KG, but how far north with this instability reach is
still uncertain. Ongoing elevated convection in NC Nebraska may
keep some areas north of I-90 from any significant level of
destabilization, with the largest reservoir of CAPE along and
especially south of I- 90. Most guidance would favor new
convective development along an surface convergence zone in NE
Nebraska or SC South Dakota after 5pm in a narrow corridor of
deeper instability. Given favorable shear profiles (effective
shear 40+ knots), any initial development should have
supercellular characteristics capable of 2" hail and 70 mph
winds. Additional convection may try to develop over central
Nebraska and lift northward to the MO River in the evening. As
we move through the mid-late evening hours, 0-1km shear will be
on the rise as the LLJ develops, introducing at least the low
end potential for a brief tornado south of I-90 if storms can
stay discrete. Though boundary layer stabilization will be on
the increase and LCLs remain quite high. Otherwise, watch for
gradual clustering of storms as they track east northeast into
MN/IA which would increase the potential of 70+ mph winds, with
a continued very low probability of a QLCS- like tornado into NW
Iowa. 17Z SSCRAM-HRRR data would support the rising potential
for high winds extending north of Highway 20, with brief hail
potential in new updrafts driven by the LLJ further north into
western MN. Latest projections continue to push convection east
of the CWA by 2am, with light winds and wet ground perhaps
allowing patch fog to develop.

WEDNESDAY: Brief shortwave ridging tries to move in early Wednesday
as the surface front settles back into eastern Nebraska and
north central Iowa. A few lingering elevated
showers/thunderstorms may persist into NW Iowa through mid-
morning. With a slightly drier easterly wind, temperatures again
rise into the middle to upper 80s, with the latest guidance
supporting a strong enough EML to prevent convection along the
boundary. The return of the nocturnal LLJ Wednesday night could
again lead to isolated to scattered elevated convection into
Thursday morning.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY: Confidence remains rather high that temperatures
continue to rise towards the lower 90s in most locations for the end
of the week. Increasing mid-lvl heights through the Plains will help
push low-lvl temperatures well above normal, with H850 temps +26C
Thursday and Friday.  The greatest challenge in the medium range
will be timing and tracking one or more weak ridge riders that will
cross the Plains into the weekend.  Once such wave may drop down
from the NW into MInnesota early Friday morning, perhaps leaving an
outflow boundary near the Minnesota River/Ridge areas for the
afternoon.

SATURDAY-MONDAY:  Temperatures remain above normal through the
weekend and into early next week as the 500 mb ridge peaks through
the central CONUS.  One or more weak waves top the ridge during the
weekend, creating a very low confidence PoP forecast during the
overnight hours.  Should one of these waves track close enough to
the CWA they could lead to some temperature reductions.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 636 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Developing thunderstorms near the Nebraska/South Dakota border
will push eastwards this evening, bringing periods of IFR to
MVFR visibilities and ceilings. Overall timing of storms has
changed very little from the previous set of TAFs. These storms,
if they directly impact a terminal, may bring hail and severe
caliber winds. KFSD seems to hold the highest risk of seeing
thunderstorm activity, but predictability was still a little too
low to introduce a TEMPO. Overnight, storms will clear. There
is a low chance for fog to develop for an hour or two around
sunrise. Winds tomorrow should remain at or under 10 knots
generally out of the south/southeast without gusts.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Dux
AVIATION...Rafferty
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 1:57 PM CDT, 7 hours 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
157 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-021900-
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-
157 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 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...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms will increase in coverage late this afternoon
and evening. A few of these storms may become severe capable of 2
inch hail and 70 mph winds. While very low, a brief tornado could be
possible in areas south of I-90 towards the Missouri River this
evening.

One or more clusters of storms may form and move east northeast into
the early overnight hours, with areas along and south of a line from
Gregory to Sioux Falls to Tracy with the greatest risks. These storm
clusters could bring 70 mph or locally greater winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Periodic thunderstorm chances continue through Thursday with spotty
rain chances potentially into the weekend. Severe weather is not
expected or should remain very isolated.

Heat will build into the area with heat indices from 90 to 100
Thursday through Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed in areas especially along and south
of I-90 after 6pm and continue through 2am.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 7:56 PM CDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
756 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0747 PM     Hail             7 SW Springfield        42.78N 97.99W
09/01/2026  M1.00 Inch       Bon Homme          SD   Public

            Wind driven hail broke two windows out of
            business.

&&

JC
Local storm report, Sep 1, 8:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
805 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0757 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Springfield             42.86N 97.89W
09/01/2026  M61 MPH          Bon Homme          SD   Public

            Measured by personal weather station.

&&

JC
Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:00 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
900 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0852 PM     Hail             3 SSE Lake Park         43.40N 95.31W
09/01/2026  M0.70 Inch       Dickinson          IA   CO-OP Observer

&&

JC
Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:19 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
919 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0909 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SE Vermillion         42.78N 96.92W
09/01/2026  M59 MPH          Clay               SD   Public

            Measured by personal weather station.

&&

JC
Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:22 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
922 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0908 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Vermillion              42.78N 96.93W
09/01/2026  M62 MPH          Clay               SD   Public

            Measured by personal weather staton.

&&

JC
Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:23 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
923 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0905 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Vermillion          42.78N 96.95W
09/01/2026                   Clay               SD   Trained Spotter

            Spotter reported multiple large branches
            down, estimated between 3 and 5 inches at
            the base. Also reported the rain was flying
            sideways, but no hail at time of report.
            Report aligns with radar data at that time.

&&

AJP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 1, 7:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBon Homme, Charles Mix45 min
Sep 1, 7:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatFSDBon Homme, Yankton52 min
Sep 1, 8:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDBon Homme, Clay, Yankton66 min
Sep 1, 8:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatFSDClay, Union, Yankton49 min
Sep 1, 8:48 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDClay, Yankton27 min
Sep 1, 9:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBon Homme, Charles Mix46 min
Sep 1, 10:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDLincoln, Union43 min
Sep 1, 10:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBon Homme, Yankton38 min
Sep 1, 10:04 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDLyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Sioux26 min
Sep 1, 10:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDDickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Sioux71 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Dakota, 2026Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa, 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.