Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 59, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 24, 2026, 6:28 PM CDT for McCook County, Minnehaha County, Turner County, South Dakota. It was in force for 47 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 24, 2026, 6:28 PM CDT (23:28 UTC)
- Expired
- May 24, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 47 min
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.5 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties McCook County, SD, Minnehaha County, SD, Turner County, SD
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:30 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 24, 6:35 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 5 E Canistota, SD | Report via social media, time estimated by radar. |
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 7 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 24, 4:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 322 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
- 1333 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 61 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 92 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
007
WUUS53 KFSD 242328
SVRFSD
SDC087-099-125-250015-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0059.260524T2328Z-260525T0015Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
628 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southwestern Minnehaha County in southeastern South Dakota...
Southeastern McCook County in southeastern South Dakota...
Northeastern Turner County in southeastern South Dakota...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 627 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake
Vermillion State Recreation Area, moving east at 10 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...
Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area and Humboldt around 635 PM
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 4349 9735 4365 9730 4365 9697 4341 9703
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 276DEG 8KT 4358 9721
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Samet2 follow-up statements
828
WWUS53 KFSD 242346
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
646 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
SDC125-242355-
/O.CAN.KFSD.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260525T0015Z/
Turner SD-
646 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN TURNER COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
southeastern South Dakota.
&&
LAT...LON 4350 9701 4351 9719 4365 9726 4365 9697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 253DEG 13KT 4360 9715
$$
SDC087-099-250015-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260525T0015Z/
Minnehaha SD-McCook SD-
646 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN MINNEHAHA AND SOUTHEASTERN MCCOOK COUNTIES...
At 645 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake Vermillion
State Recreation Area, 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.
Locations impacted include...
Humboldt.
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 9701 4351 9719 4365 9726 4365 9697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 253DEG 13KT 4360 9715
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Samet825 WWUS53 KFSD 250006 SVSFSD Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 706 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 SDC087-099-250016- /O.EXP.KFSD.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260525T0015Z/ Minnehaha SD-McCook SD- 706 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN MINNEHAHA AND SOUTHEASTERN MCCOOK COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small hail and gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southeastern South Dakota. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Sioux Falls. && LAT...LON 4350 9701 4351 9719 4365 9726 4365 9697 TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 276DEG 8KT 4360 9709 $$ 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 May 24, 12:18 PM CDT, 6 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible during the late afternoon through early overnight hours (5pm-11pm) east of Highway 281. Primary risks of 2 inch hail and 65 mph winds.
- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may redevelop Monday evening into Monday night over NW Iowa and NE Nebraska. Non- zero severe weather risks may bring gusty winds and hail.
- Temperatures remain 10+ degrees above normal into mid-week, but expect a slight cooldown back to normals by next weekend.
- Rain risks return Friday into next weekend (20-40%), however severe weather chances are very low.
Area forecast discussion, May 24, 12:18 PM CDT, 6 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1218 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible during the late afternoon through early overnight hours (5pm-11pm) east of Highway 281. Primary risks of 2 inch hail and 65 mph winds. - Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may redevelop Monday evening into Monday night over NW Iowa and NE Nebraska. Non- zero severe weather risks may bring gusty winds and hail. - Temperatures remain 10+ degrees above normal into mid-week, but expect a slight cooldown back to normals by next weekend. - Rain risks return Friday into next weekend (20-40%), however severe weather chances are very low. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1211 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING: Temperatures continue to rise towards and into the 80s this afternoon. Initial mid-lvl vorticity tracking across South Dakota this morning will keep a narrow channel AC focused along the Ridge and Minnesota River valley early this afternoon. Increasing southwesterly surface flow will continue to pull modest boundary layer moisture northward, but some of the high-res CAMs are overdoing current moisture at mid-day. Nevertheless, we should eventually see more consistent mid/upr-50 dew points arrive by late afternoon. The arrival of slightly enhanced mid-lvl lapse rates will push MLCAPE values towards the 1500-2200 J/KG layer by late afternoon. The main question will then become "where does initiation occur?". Some preference today for a weak area of surface convergence and low- lvl jet convergence towards the Highway 14 corridor and into the Minnesota River valley after 4pm. With inhibition weakened further south towards the MO River, additional isolated/scattered development could take place by early evening further west along a weak dry line near the James River valley, but this development is much less certain and more conditional based on weaker convergence. It's the arrival of mid-lvl vorticity in the 00-03Z window that may help development further develop and linger into the early overnight hours before low- lvl flow veers and pushes convection eastward. Regarding hazards, the increase in effective shear towards the 30-40 knot mark support a few supercells, with analogs suggesting 1.5-2" hail potential. A few wind gusts to 60-70 mph may be possible given steep low-lvl lapse rates, but only modest DCAPE. The tornado risk remains very low. The west-east slow storm movement through the Highway 14 corridor this evening could lead lead to minor flash flood risks with HREF PMM data suggesting 1-2" per hour rates. Storm risks lower quickly after midnight with a quiet remaining overnight forecast. MEMORIAL DAY: Even warmer temperatures are expected for Memorial day as winds remain southwesterly. Highs are expected to rise into the upper 80s to lower 90s. One thing to note will be a rise in afternoon dewpoints towards the lower 60s that may push heat index values into the 90s. Will also need to monitor the potential for isolated convection to form Monday evening across portions of north central/northwestern Iowa into northeastern Nebraska, given the slightly dirty mid-lvl flow remaining in the Plains. Several CAMS (more NAM based), all suggest low-end development by late afternoon to early evening, potentially driven by weak low-lvl convergence on the developing LLJ. Shear remains rather weak but instability and mid-lvl lapse rates of more than sufficient. Could see a few stronger storms with localized downburst winds and severe hail if trigger mechanism can be determined. This activity may quickly weaken after sunset, but continue to drift north into the overnight hours. TUESDAY-THURSDAY: The middle of the week favors dry and mild conditions as a mid-lvl ridge builds through the Plains and extends northward into Central Canada. Residing under the ridge of this quasi-blocking pattern would suggest very weak flow aloft, a slight influence from east southeasterly surface winds, and dry conditions with afternoon CU. FRIDAY-SUNDAY: A broad mid-lvl ridge over the CONUS remains in place through next weekend. However, we begin to see eastward shifts in the the dominant surface high over the Great Lakes, allowing a better channel of low-lvl moisture to move through the Mid/Upr MO river valley. What develops is a nearly daily low (20-40%) risk for shower and thunderstorms, mostly within the peak diurnal timeframe. Shear and instability in this pattern will be quite weak, so non- severe thunderstorms are favored. Temperatures are also favored to drop closer to seasonal average in the middle to upper 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1155 AM CDT Sun May 24 2026 VFR conditions will persist into the evening and overnight hours. Limited mid-lvl AC deck will slide east northeast this afternoon as a CU field begins to develop. Eventually this CU may mature into a few thunderstorms by very late afternoon and evening. Initial focus may be in SW Minnesota, with a lower risk near the MO river near Yankton. Winds remain southwesterly, gusting to 20 knots at times this afternoon. This activity will be very widely scattered, with the greatest concentration along the Ridge into SW Minnesota into the early overnight hours. A breezy southerly wind is anticipated all night. Clouds will clear from west to east overnight with VFR conditions persistent into Monday morning. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && DISCUSSION...Dux AVIATION...Dux
Hazardous weather outlook, May 24, 12:27 PM CDT, 6 hours 1 minute before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ039-040-054>056-060>062-065>071-251730- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody- Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Union- 1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, east central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are possible after 5pm this afternoon and may continue through 11pm. The primary threats will be large hail up to 2 inch hail and 65 mph wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Scattered thunderstorms may again be possible Monday evening and overnight. While the risks for severe weather are low, a storm or two could produce marginally severe hail around 1 inch and brief 50 mph wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed after 5pm and continuing through 11pm. SDZ038-050-052-053-057>059-063-064-251730- Beadle-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Charles Mix- Douglas- 1227 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional showers and thunderstorms will be possible on Monday mainly east of I-29. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 24, 5:18 PM CDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
518 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0511 PM Hail 6 WSW Tripp 43.18N 98.07W
05/24/2026 E1.00 Inch Hutchinson SD Storm Chaser
&&
MMLocal storm report, May 24, 5:28 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
528 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0526 PM Hail Tripp 43.23N 97.97W
05/24/2026 M1.25 Inch Hutchinson SD Law Enforcement
Sheriff reported half dollar size hail.
&&
MMLocal storm report, May 24, 5:39 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
539 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0520 PM Hail Pipestone 44.00N 96.31W
05/24/2026 E1.00 Inch Pipestone MN Emergency Mngr
Most of the hail was dime to nickel sized. A
few quarters were mixed in.
&&
MMLocal storm report, May 24, 5:47 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
547 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0540 PM Hail 3 ENE Tripp 43.24N 97.90W
05/24/2026 E1.75 Inch Hutchinson SD Storm Chaser
&&
MMLocal storm report, May 24, 6:16 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
616 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM Hail 7 E Tripp 43.22N 97.83W
05/24/2026 E2.00 Inch Hutchinson SD Storm Chaser
&&
MMLocal storm report, May 24, 6:20 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
620 PM CDT Sun May 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0558 PM Hail 6 NW Scotland 43.21N 97.78W
05/24/2026 E1.75 Inch Hutchinson SD Storm Chaser
&&
MMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 4:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson | 51 min |
| May 24, 5:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Hutchinson | 39 min |
| May 24, 5:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Hutchinson | 48 min |
| May 24, 6:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Bon Homme, Hutchinson, Yankton | 39 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.