Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 37, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 58 | 4 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 1:42 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 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.
- 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
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
$$
Weisser2 follow-up statements
432
WWUS53 KFSD 171929
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
229 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
SDC003-015-023-043-172000-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260517T2000Z/
Aurora SD-Charles Mix SD-Douglas SD-Brule SD-
229 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN AURORA...NORTH CENTRAL CHARLES MIX...NORTHWESTERN
DOUGLAS AND SOUTHEASTERN BRULE COUNTIES...
At 229 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Platte, or 22
miles northwest of Lake Andes, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable
tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes,
roofs, and outbuildings.
This severe storm will be near...
New Holland and Aurora Center around 235 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Stickney.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 9867 4347 9895 4372 9876 4366 9833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 221DEG 35KT 4344 9875
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH
$$
Weisser918
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
$$
SDC003-172000-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260517T2000Z/
Aurora SD-
251 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN AURORA COUNTY...
At 251 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Aurora Center,
or 10 miles south of Plankinton, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable
tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes,
roofs, and outbuildings.
Locations impacted include...
Stickney.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
South Dakota.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4368 9879 4372 9876 4366 9833 4350 9850
4350 9880
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 232DEG 32KT 4356 9852
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH
$$
WeisserWhat 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.
&&
TRMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 1:10 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | FSD | Union | 4 hr |
| May 17, 1:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Gregory | 51 min |
| May 17, 2:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Charles Mix, Gregory | 50 min |
| May 17, 2:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Hutchinson, Yankton | 41 min |
| May 17, 2:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Hutchinson | 40 min |
| May 17, 3:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Hutchinson, Turner, Yankton | 52 min |
| May 17, 3:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Clay, Hutchinson, Turner, Yankton | 47 min |
| May 17, 3:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Hutchinson, Turner | 28 min |
| May 17, 3:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Turner | 46 min |
| May 17, 4:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Minnehaha, Turner | 42 min |
| May 17, 4:27 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Lincoln, Minnehaha | 48 min |
| May 17, 4:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Minnehaha | 49 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.