Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 37, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

May 17, 20264 counties in South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 17, 2026, 2:15 PM CDT for 4 counties in South Dakota. It was in force for 45 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
May 17, 2026, 2:15 PM CDT (19:15 UTC)
Expired
May 17, 2026, 3:00 PM CDT
In force
45 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
70.0 mph

Counties Aurora County, SD, Brule County, SD, Charles Mix County, SD, Douglas County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 161 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:16 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
May 17, 2:50 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 584 Sw Stickney, SD

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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 35 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
May 17, 1:42 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 163 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 12:00Z on 2026-05-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 12:00Z on 2026-05-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 372 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2103 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
372 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
379 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

951 
WUUS53 KFSD 171915
SVRFSD
SDC003-015-023-043-172000-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0037.260517T1915Z-260517T2000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
215 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southern Aurora County in south central South Dakota...
  North central Charles Mix County in south central South Dakota...
  Northwestern Douglas County in south central South Dakota...
  Southeastern Brule County in south central South Dakota...

* Until 300 PM CDT.

* At 215 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Platte, or 22
  miles northwest of Lake Andes, moving northeast at 35 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.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Platte around 220 PM CDT.
  New Holland around 230 PM CDT.
  Aurora Center around 235 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4326 9873 4337 9902 4372 9876 4366 9833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 222DEG 28KT 4337 9887 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Weisser
2 follow-up statements
432 
WWUS53 KFSD 171929
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
229 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

SDC003-015-023-043-172000-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260517T2000Z/
Aurora SD-Charles Mix SD-Douglas SD-Brule SD-
229 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN AURORA...NORTH CENTRAL CHARLES MIX...NORTHWESTERN
DOUGLAS AND SOUTHEASTERN BRULE COUNTIES...

At 229 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Platte, or 22
miles northwest of Lake Andes, moving northeast 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.

This severe storm will be near...
  New Holland and Aurora Center around 235 PM CDT.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4333 9867 4347 9895 4372 9876 4366 9833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 221DEG 35KT 4344 9875 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Weisser
918 
WWUS53 KFSD 171951
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
251 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

SDC015-023-043-172001-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260517T2000Z/
Charles Mix SD-Douglas SD-Brule SD-
251 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL CHARLES MIX...
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS AND SOUTHEASTERN BRULE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4368 9879 4372 9876 4366 9833 4350 9850
      4350 9880
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 232DEG 32KT 4356 9852 

$$

SDC003-172000-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260517T2000Z/
Aurora SD-
251 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN AURORA COUNTY...

At 251 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Aurora Center,
or 10 miles south of Plankinton, moving northeast at 35 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Stickney.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4368 9879 4372 9876 4366 9833 4350 9850
      4350 9880
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 232DEG 32KT 4356 9852 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Weisser

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 May 17, 1:20 PM CDT, 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is high confidence that severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening, producing large hail, destructive straight-line winds, and a few tornadoes. An Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) of severe storms is in place.
  • A transitioning storm mode will shift hazards from large hail and tornadoes initially, to widespread wind damage as an intense line of storms tracks east of Interstate 29 this evening.
  • A lower risk of severe weather exists late Monday afternoon and evening, mainly over northwest IA, before quieter weather moves in for the mid-week period.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 1:20 PM CDT, 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
Issued by National Weather Service Lincoln IL
120 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is high confidence that severe thunderstorms will
  develop this afternoon and evening, producing large hail,
  destructive straight-line winds, and a few tornadoes. An
  Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) of severe storms is in place.

- A transitioning storm mode will shift hazards from large hail
  and tornadoes initially, to widespread wind damage as an
  intense line of storms tracks east of Interstate 29 this
  evening.

- A lower risk of severe weather exists late Monday afternoon
  and evening, mainly over northwest IA, before quieter weather
  moves in for the mid-week period.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

The short-term convective outlook presents a highly volatile
spring severe weather setup. Latest surface analysis shows a
complex pattern, anchored by a strong 994 mb low over northwest
KS. An inverted trough extended north of the low through
central SD, while a well-defined warm front stretched northeast
of the low into east central NE. A weaker low was also noted in
north central NE. Visible satellite imagery revealed stable
wave clouds advancing northeast over far northeast NE and
extreme SE SD, ahead of the advancing warm front. Regional
radar imagery showed a complex of strong to severe storms over
north central NE. This storm complex is forecast by short range
guidance to continue tracking east this afternoon, intensifying
as interacts with the richer low- level moisture pool near and
south of the warm front.

Moderate to strong instability will be in place over the
southern to eastern CWA by late afternoon with MLCAPE nearing
3000 J/kg. In addition, deep layer shear will increase to around
50 kt, coincident with a mid level speed max ejecting from the
deep upper trough to our west. As the system evolves over the
next several hours, it appears the ingredients for a significant
severe weather event will be most favored over the southern to
eastern CWA. Ahead of the main convective line, some CAMs show
supercell development along the northward advancing warm front.
These storms would present a risk of very large hail (2"+) and
tornadoes. Given the amount of low level SRH/curved hodographs
present, a couple strong tornadoes are possible. The convective
cluster currently entering our far southwest CWA should
strengthen as it shifts east, with an initial hail and tornado
threat transitioning to a damaging straight line wind threat
(70+ MPH) as it grows upscale into a squall line/QLCS. Some
line-embedded QLCS tornadoes are possible, especially for any
line segments that become oriented north/south or
northwest/southeast, given southwesterly 0-3 km shear vectors.
Timing from latest high-res guidance suggests this activity
exits to the east of our CWA late this evening.

Precipitation amounts will vary significantly based on convective
tracks, though NBM guidance and HREF probability match mean
fields project a widespread 0.50 to 1.50 inches of rainfall,
particularly across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. On
Monday, the cold front finally pushes into the area. Instability
and shear are forecast to be much lower than today, however,
there will be a conditional risk of severe storms over the
eastern CWA during the late afternoon to evening, if the airmass
can destabilize sufficiently ahead of the front. SPC's Day 2
outlook indicates as Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5), for our MN
and IA counties.

Behind the departing upper wave, quasi-zonal flow sets up for
Tuesday and Wednesday, yielding quiet conditions and seasonally
cool high temperatures moderating from the upper 50s Tuesday to
mid-upper 60s Wednesday.

The next upper wave moves in for the Thursday to Friday period,
however Gulf moisture remains cutoff ahead of this system.
Evaluating the ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index (EFI) reveals no
significant climatological anomalies for precipitation or wind
across the upper Midwest during this period, reinforcing the
the idea of a low-impact system for our area. The current
forecast sticks closely to the NBM consensus, maintaining broad
20-30 percent probabilities for light rain for late Thursday
into Saturday.

By late this week and especially this weekend, temperatures
will embark on a steady upward trajectory, as the mid level flow
backs west, then southwest. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
6-10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures across the
Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, which supports blended
guidance high temperatures reaching well into the 80s on
Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1248 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Showers and storms move through the region this afternoon into
tonight. Intermittent MVFR/IFR conditions will be possible throughout
this timeframe, especially in heavier rain. TSRA was included at
least in PROB30 groups, but is expected to be the dominant weather
type at times. Widespread MVFR/IFR cigs setting in overnight for much
of Monday.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...ILX/25
AVIATION...DYE
Hazardous weather outlook, May 17, 1:29 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
Issued by National Weather Service Lincoln IL
129 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-181830-
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-
129 PM CDT Sun May 17 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.

A significant severe weather event is possible this afternoon and
evening. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes are all
possible. If you have outdoor plans know where your nearest shelter
is located. Please ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Have a plan to take shelter and act immediately if your area comes
under a severe weather warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Strong to severe storms are possible again Monday afternoon and
evening, particularly over northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 17, 1:51 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0140 PM     Hail             Burke                   43.18N 99.29W
05/17/2026  E1.25 Inch       Gregory            SD   Trained Spotter

            In addtion to half dollar sized hail, heavy
            rain is falling.

&&

TRM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 1:10 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFSDUnion4 hr
May 17, 1:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDGregory51 min
May 17, 2:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDCharles Mix, Gregory50 min
May 17, 2:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDBon Homme, Hutchinson, Yankton41 min
May 17, 2:50 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDBon Homme, Charles Mix, Hutchinson40 min
May 17, 3:23 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner, Yankton52 min
May 17, 3:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatFSDBon Homme, Clay, Hutchinson, Turner, Yankton47 min
May 17, 3:35 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDHutchinson, Turner28 min
May 17, 3:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatFSDLincoln, Turner46 min
May 17, 4:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDLincoln, Minnehaha, Turner42 min
May 17, 4:27 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDLincoln, Minnehaha48 min
May 17, 4:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDMinnehaha49 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.