Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 271, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

September 5, 2026Davison County, Hanson County, Hutchinson County, South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 5, 2026, 3:01 AM CDT for Davison County, Hanson County, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. It was in force for 44 min. 4 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 5, 2026, 3:01 AM CDT (08:01 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM CDT
In force
44 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Davison County, SD, Hanson County, SD, Hutchinson County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:03 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 5, 3:06 AM CDTHAIL 1.5Ethan, SDCorrects previous hail report from Ethan. Social media photo of hail.
Sep 5, 3:09 AM CDTTSTM WND GST 613 Se Dimock, SDPersonal Weather Station.
Sep 5, 3:17 AM CDTTSTM WND GST 551 W Dimock, SDPersonal Weather Station.
Sep 5, 3:41 AM CDTTSTM WND GST 578 E Dimock, SDPersonal Weather Station.

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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 5 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 nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 160 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 2026-09-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1325 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 2026-09-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 199 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
1325 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-301 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2105 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
199 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
204 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

445 
WUUS53 KFSD 050801
SVRFSD
SDC035-061-067-050845-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0271.260905T0801Z-260905T0845Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
301 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Davison County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Southwestern Hanson County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Northwestern Hutchinson County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 345 AM CDT.

* At 301 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Ethan, or 9
  miles north of Parkston, moving east at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Ethan around 305 AM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Milltown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4343 9807 4360 9807 4364 9777 4340 9776
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 263DEG 13KT 4353 9799 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

JH
1 follow-up statement
413 
WWUS53 KFSD 050819
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
319 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

SDC035-050829-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0271.000000T0000Z-260905T0845Z/
Davison SD-
319 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN DAVISON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4342 9796 4361 9797 4364 9777 4340 9776
TIME...MOT...LOC 0819Z 263DEG 13KT 4354 9790 

$$

SDC061-067-050845-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0271.000000T0000Z-260905T0845Z/
Hanson SD-Hutchinson SD-
319 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN HANSON AND NORTH CENTRAL HUTCHINSON COUNTIES...

At 319 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ethan, or 10
miles northeast of Parkston, moving east at 15 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.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southwestern Hanson and north central Hutchinson Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4342 9796 4361 9797 4364 9777 4340 9776
TIME...MOT...LOC 0819Z 263DEG 13KT 4354 9790 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

JH

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 5, 12:40 AM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Hot and humid conditions will persist through at least Saturday with gradual improvement into the new work week. Afternoon temperatures in the 90s will push heat index values near 100 at times. Outdoor events should plan accordingly to the heat risks but know clouds could also impact Saturday and Sunday.
  • Patchy fog may develop early Saturday morning, mostly for areas east of I-29. Fog should burn off by mid-morning.
  • Scattered thunderstorms may develop after midnight over central South Dakota. Some may be strong to severe producing heavy rain, wind gusts of 60-65 mph, and hail the size of a quarter. A few stronger storms may be able to produce ping- pong ball sized hail. Storms are expected to weaken as they approach the I-29 corridor after sunrise.
  • Occasional thunderstorms will be possible again Saturday evening and Sunday, though remain highly unpredictable on location. A few stronger storms could be possible, the risk of widespread severe weather remains low.
  • A shifting pattern may bring higher rain chances, slightly cooler temperatures, and a severe weather risk early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 5, 12:40 AM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1240 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Hot and humid conditions will persist through at least
  Saturday with gradual improvement into the new work week.
  Afternoon temperatures in the 90s will push heat index values
  near 100 at times. Outdoor events should plan accordingly to
  the heat risks but know clouds could also impact Saturday and
  Sunday.

- Patchy fog may develop early Saturday morning, mostly for
  areas east of I-29. Fog should burn off by mid-morning.

- Scattered thunderstorms may develop after midnight over
  central South Dakota. Some may be strong to severe producing
  heavy rain, wind gusts of 60-65 mph, and hail the size of a
  quarter. A few stronger storms may be able to produce ping-
  pong ball sized hail. Storms are expected to weaken as they
  approach the I-29 corridor after sunrise.

- Occasional thunderstorms will be possible again Saturday
  evening and Sunday, though remain highly unpredictable on
  location. A few stronger storms could be possible, the risk of
  widespread severe weather remains low.

- A shifting pattern may bring higher rain chances, slightly
  cooler temperatures, and a severe weather risk early next
  week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 852 PM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

Few changes to the forecast at this hour with only minor adjustments
to PoPs to account for the most recent guidance on timing and
coverage of overnight storms. Southwest upper flow through the day
today has led to the strengthening of a lee trough along the eastern
Rockies. The LLJ will begin to increase in the next few hours as
this feature compacts the SPG. A Theta-e ridge over central and
eastern South Dakota continues to advect warm, moist air into the
region this evening. Overall instability and mid-level lapse rates
are increasing, as well as precipitable water. Deep layer shear is
on the low side at 25-35 kts. All in all a marginally unstable
environment will settle over central and eastern South Dakota
tonight. Currently a subtle shortwave is moving northeast out of
Colorado. As this wave begins to interact with the strengthening LLJ
thunderstorms are expected to develop over central South Dakota
between 11 pm tonight and 2 am Saturday. Initially storms are most
likely to be multicelled in nature with an isolated storm or two
becoming strong to severe. Risks with severe storms include heavy
rain, wind gusts to 60-65 mph, and hail the size of a quarter,
possibly up to a ping-pong ball if a stronger updraft can form. As
storms move east they will form a rough line of broken multicells
and linear segments. Around sunrise storms will be approaching the I-
29 corridor. At the same time the LLJ begins to weaken and storms
will decrease in intensity. Through the rest of the morning storms
will become more scattered and begin to flow to the southeast as the
shortwave crests the upper ridge its traveling through. Storms
continue to weaken as they push into northwest Iowa Saturday
early afternoon.

Afternoon winds will be southeast and breezy with gusts of 15-25
mph, highest west of the James River Valley. The Theta-e ridge
remains strong through the day Saturday as it shifts eastward over
the SD/MN/IA border. Dew points will climb into the upper 60s over
central South Dakota to the mid 70s over northwest Iowa. Current
highs are forecasted to climb into the upper 80s to mid 90s. Should
showers and clouds linger into the afternoon those values may need
to be reduced. As of now confidence in the temperature forecast is
low and therefore so is confidence in the need for a heat headline
Saturday afternoon. Should a headline be needed it would be most
likely for areas south of I-90.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 122 PM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

THIS AFTERNOON: It remains hot and very humid across the Tri-State
area, as temperatures have already risen into the upper 80s to low
90s.  The generally weak surface flow has allowed dew points to
remain in the upper 60s to lower 70s, with even mid-70 dew points in
NW Iowa. Heat index values will continue to rise to 95 to 105
degrees and current heat advisory will remain in place.

Through the region a few clusters of elevated showers and
thunderstorms continue. This activity is tied to both weak vorticity
moving through the High Plains, but also west of a slightly richer
850:700 mb theta-e airmass.  Latest guidance continues to suggest
that cluster of activity just west of the CWA will continue to move
north and northeast but could graze Beadle county later this
afternoon. Activity over south central Nebraska is also expected to
slowly crawl eastward, but without a strong theta-e push, may
diminish by time it would reach Sioux City this evening. The
development of any SFC based convection to the west and north seems
limited given the strong EML in the area. If a storm could go, then
large hail could be possible.

TONIGHT:  There seems to be at least modest agreement in guidance
tonight, suggesting continued mid-lvl theta-e advection will place a
corridor of increased moisture west of I-29 and towards the James
River valley after midnight.  Guidance also seems in agreement that
another weak perturbation will leave Colorado and move northeast,
inducing a 40 knot LLJ that will converge near the western half of
the CWA.  Scattered showers and thunderstorm development would be
favorable by 2-3am in this scenario. Environmental soundings
would suggest anywhere from 1500-2000 J/KG MUCAPE lifted off the
700 mb layer, with modest shear AOA 25-30 knots. This would
favor mostly multicells with some potential supercell
characteristic, with brief bouts of quarter to ping pong ball
hail. Feel perhaps the greatest risk given dry subcloud layer
and steep low-lvl lapse rates would be some brief gusty winds.
Storm motion may be very slow with mean winds only around 10
knots, suggesting that with deep warm cloud depths and
increasing PWATs, some localized heavy rain might be an issue.
HREF/REFS 3hr PMM and max guidance indicates pockets of rainfall
of 2-4" could be possible.

SATURDAY:  Lingering morning activity will continue to pose a few
severe risks in the morning if any cold pool could develop. Though
as the LLJ wanes and veers off, the convection risks may drop by
early afternoon.  Lingering cloud debris, if storms develop, will
pose a challenge to the afternoon forecast with some guidance
keeping this festering cloud cover right through the heart of the
CWA.  Currently forecast highs in the 90s are contingent on less
cloud cover by mid-day.  If cloud cover doesn't impact us as much,
then another advisory could be needed south of I-90 as dew points
remain in the 70s.  Subsidence appears to remain in place for most
of Saturday night, though the LLJ may once again spur isolated to
scattered convection by daybreak Sunday. The various mesoscale waves
topping the ridge into Sunday also pose an issue, with one or more
convective clusters moving east and southeast out of North Dakota by
daybreak.

SUNDAY: Uncertainty grows on Sunday with the Tri-State are remaining
under the synoptic ridge.  Convection on the periphery of this ridge
will pose both a risk of dipping into the eastern CWA early Sunday,
but moreso throwing a convective outflow boundary westward. If a
boundary develops, it would certainly pose a risk for redevelopment
later in the day despite a continued EML overhead. There remains far
too much uncertainty in the forecast to be much more specific on
severe weather risks, but those with outdoor plans should continue
to monitor. Again, convection will have some impact on
temperatures, but another day with highs in the upper 80s to
lower 90s will be possible.

MONDAY-TUESDAY: The apex of the mid-lvl ridge slides east of the Tri-
State by Monday as a deep upper trough moves into the Northern.
Rockies. What will this pattern shift signal for us?  Lee-side
troughing will induce stronger return flow into the Plains,
with gusty surface winds by Monday afternoon. An approaching
front late on Monday into Monday night could spur isolated to
scattered thunderstorms over the Dakotas and Nebraska. Should
boundary layer moisture not mix-out too significantly, a severe
weather risk may develop into Tuesday night. Those limitations
to any widespread risks may be the fact the deepest moisture
transport is pushed north of the CWA along with the strongest
forcing, suggesting lift along the boundary may be weaker
further south. Temperatures will remain in the upper 80s, with
the front moving southeast Tuesday. Again, we'll watch the
positioning of this boundary for potential convection Tuesday
afternoon.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY: Continued signals for a slight cooldown for the
middle of the week behind the passing front. Stronger CAA may allow
for highs to fall back to the 70s and lower 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1238 AM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

Light southeast winds will begin to increase ahead of an approaching
wave. Diurnally driven winds continue to increase through
Saturday afternoon. Gusts of 15-22 kts are expected along I-29
and west. Gusts generally less than 15 kts to the east. East of
I-29 where winds are lighter may see some early morning fog
development. This should burn off by mid-morning.

As of TAF issuance a few thunderstorms are ongoing over central
South Dakota, moving northeast. A few storms may become strong to
severe producing heavy downpours, wind gusts to 60 mph, and hail the
size of a half dollar. If a stronger updraft can develop hail to the
size of a ping-pong ball is possible. Ceilings and visibilities
under storms, and in areas of fog, could degrade to MVFR to
IFR. Storms should clear out by Saturday afternoon. VFR
conditions will then prevail for the remaining period.

&&

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

&&

UPDATE...AJP
DISCUSSION...Dux
AVIATION...AJP
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 4, 8:59 PM CDT, 6 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
859 PM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-060200-
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-
859 PM CDT Fri Sep 4 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.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible tonight. Some may be
strong to severe producing heavy rain, wind gusts of 60-65 mph, and
hail to the size of a quarter. An isolated stronger storm may produce
hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball.

Some patchy fog is possible early Saturday morning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected through the weekend. Heat
Index values will be in the 90s to around 100 during the afternoon.
Please apply heat safety to your outdoor activities.

Periods of isolated to scattered thunderstorms remain possible
through the weekend. A stronger storm or two are possible but
widespread severe weather is not expected.

.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
Sep 5, 12:25 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDBeadle, Jerauld35 min
Sep 5, 2:16 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDJerauld29 min
Sep 5, 2:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDAurora, Jerauld, Sanborn31 min
Sep 5, 3:42 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDHanson, Hutchinson, McCook48 min
Sep 5, 4:38 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFSDDavison, Hanson, Hutchinson3 hr
Sep 5, 4:57 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner48 min
Sep 5, 5:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Turner45 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.