Alert archive / South Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 83, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

May 31, 2026Lincoln County, Turner County, South Dakota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 2026, 8:21 PM CDT for Lincoln County, Turner County, South Dakota. It was in force for 54 min. 2 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
May 31, 2026, 8:21 PM CDT (01:21 UTC)
Expired
May 31, 2026, 9:15 PM CDT
In force
54 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Lincoln County, SD, Turner County, SD

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:23 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 31, 8:36 PM CDTHAIL 12 N Davis, SDReport via social media.
May 31, 8:45 PM CDTHAIL 1Davis, 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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 15 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, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 217 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 2026-06-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1517 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 2026-06-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 120 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
1517 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-19 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1020 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
168 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

814 
WUUS53 KFSD 010121
SVRFSD
SDC083-125-010215-
/O.NEW.KFSD.SV.W.0083.260601T0121Z-260601T0215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
821 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Lincoln County in southeastern South Dakota...
  Southeastern Turner County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 821 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Davis, or 13
  miles southeast of Parker, moving northeast at 20 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...
  Lennox and Worthing around 825 PM CDT.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground
lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from
windows.

&&

LAT...LON 4316 9712 4327 9714 4349 9673 4321 9660
TIME...MOT...LOC 0121Z 246DEG 16KT 4328 9692 

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

$$

BP
2 follow-up statements
054 
WWUS53 KFSD 010200
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
900 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

SDC083-125-010215-
/O.CON.KFSD.SV.W.0083.000000T0000Z-260601T0215Z/
Lincoln SD-Turner SD-
900 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM CDT
FOR WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN AND EAST CENTRAL TURNER COUNTIES...

At 900 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Worthing, or 13
miles north of Beresford, 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Worthing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground
lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from
windows.

&&

LAT...LON 4317 9702 4324 9704 4330 9698 4341 9670
      4321 9660
TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 269DEG 10KT 4326 9684 

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

$$

BP
177 
WWUS53 KFSD 010215
SVSFSD

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
915 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

SDC083-125-010223-
/O.EXP.KFSD.SV.W.0083.000000T0000Z-260601T0215Z/
Lincoln SD-Turner SD-
915 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN AND EAST
CENTRAL TURNER COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 915 PM CDT...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning is no longer 
capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. Therefore, the 
warning will be allowed to expire. However, a tornado and heavy 
rainfall are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM 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.

Remember, a Tornado Warning still remains in effect for southern 
Lincoln county until 945 PM CDT.

&&

LAT...LON 4317 9702 4324 9704 4330 9698 4341 9670
      4321 9660
TIME...MOT...LOC 0213Z 246DEG 16KT 4328 9678 

$$

SG

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 31, 6:55 PM CDT, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated to scattered thunderstorms should develop late this afternoon into early evening. Large hail up to half dollar and damaging winds to 60 mph would be the main hazards. A Level 1 of 5 risk for severe storms covers most of the area for this threat.
  • Similar to today, a conditional Level 1 of 5 risk for severe storms covers the forecast area Monday afternoon. The chance of development looks lower than today, but if a storm can form, large hail and isolated damaging winds could occur.
  • High chances (50-80%) for rain will persist through the bulk of next week. However, severe storm chances continue to look low (near 5% or less) through next week. The better chances for rainfall appear to be Wednesday in central SD and Wednesday night into Thursday area wide.
Area forecast discussion, May 31, 6:55 PM CDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
Issued by National Weather Service Rapid City SD
655 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms should develop late this
  afternoon into early evening. Large hail up to half dollar and
  damaging winds to 60 mph would be the main hazards. A Level 1
  of 5 risk for severe storms covers most of the area for this
  threat.

- Similar to today, a conditional Level 1 of 5 risk for severe
  storms covers the forecast area Monday afternoon. The chance
  of development looks lower than today, but if a storm can
  form, large hail and isolated damaging winds could occur.

- High chances (50-80%) for rain will persist through the bulk
  of next week. However, severe storm chances continue to look
  low (near 5% or less) through next week. The better chances
  for rainfall appear to be Wednesday in central SD and
  Wednesday night into Thursday area wide.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1235 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

An active pattern is expected over the next several days, although
severe weather appears to remain a minor threat. Patchy heavy rain
may play the bigger role with each event.

For this afternoon and tonight, a small corridor of low level
convergence and lift will focus near and just east of the James
Valley. Clouds have cleared through early afternoon and temperatures
have risen a touch. Along with this temperature rise is a turn in
the surface winds to a more south to southwest direction vs.
southeast. This is what is aiding in this low level convergence. The
latest model soundings indicate something around 1500-2000 J/kg CAPE
but weak, disorganized shear. This suggests severe weather should
remain limited, but maybe a cell merger or two could produce a
couple of updrafts strong enough to support hail to half dollar
and wind gusts to 60 mph. Stronger storms will likely drift
east or northeast at about 15 mph, so fairly slow moving. With
this slower storm motion in mind, will need to keep an eye on
the locally heavy rain potential. A handful of the latest hi-res
models are showing small areas of 1-3" of rain with this
development. One area to keep a closer eye on will be parts of
Western Lake county, Northeast McCook and western Minnehaha
where 1-3" of rain fell late last night.

The question becomes what will drive development; will it be diurnal
heating, which would allow updrafts to start developing around 19-
21z, or will it be the weak wave which moves into the area closer to
0-3z this evening. The latest HRRR and Nam output agree with the
later start times, with the Nam indicating a stronger cap and less
development, while the RRFS and RAP kick off development a little
sooner with weaker capping. With the clearing that we are seeing in
central SD towards the James Valley we may see some development by
mid to late afternoon as destabilization is more likely. Suspect
some development between about 5-6pm.

One last thing to watch out for, if we can get mid to late afternoon
development, the LFC are marginally low and a weak convergent
boundary should be in parts of south central and southeast SD, so an
isolated funnel or two will be possible.

While a marginal risk for severe weather is in place for Monday,
confidence in the chances of development are very low. A capping
inversion may win out and for now CAPE values only running around
1000 J/kg with continued weak shear, albeit a little bit better than
today.

Another wave moves through Tuesday but weak shear and weak
instability suggest if anything can develop severe weather is very
unlikely.

Wednesday into Thursday looks like the better chance for more clouds
and better rainfall chances. Broad southerly warm advection looks to
bring in some weak elevated instability as low pressure tracks east
through ND. For now not anticipating all day rainfall but should see
off and on chances Wednesday and Thursday as this low tracks by to
the north.

Friday into Sunday will see periodic weaker waves move through the
area with a continuation of relatively weak flow aloft. This
continued weaker shear environment should keep severe weather
threats very limited.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Monday Evening)
Issued At 651 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

Isolated showers and thunderstorms will continue to be possible
across the area through the early evening hours. Low stratus is
expected to develop tonight over southwest Minnesota and eastern
South Dakota, especially near and east of I-29. Highest confidence
location for this MVFR to IFR stratus regarding the TAF sites will
be at KFSD. Winds will turn light through the overnight hours, and
this could also result in fog, though confidence is a bit lower in
development. Additional showers and storms may develop Monday
afternoon, but low confidence in development and location of these
storms preclude mention in the TAFs at this time.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...08
AVIATION...13
Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 1:33 PM CDT, 6 hours 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
133 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-011845-
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-
133 PM CDT Sun May 31 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 Level 1 of 5 risk for severe storms is in place for late this
afternoon and evening. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms should
develop late this afternoon between the James River and I-29, then
progress eastward through the evening. A very isolated stronger
storm could produce hail to half dollar and wind gusts to 60 mph.
Locally heavier rain will also be possible with small swaths of one
to three inches of rainfall.

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

There is a low chance for storms again Monday afternoon. Similar to
today, confidence in storm development is low. However, if storms
can develop, isolated damaging winds and large hail would be the
main threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 31, 6:13 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
613 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0607 PM     Tornado          1 NW Bridgewater        43.56N 97.52W
05/31/2026                   McCook             SD   Storm Chaser

            Tornado is kicking up dust from the ground
            now.

&&

TRM
Local storm report, May 31, 7:24 PM CDT, 57 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
724 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0723 PM     Rain             Emery                   43.60N 97.62W
05/31/2026  M3.50 Inch       Hanson             SD   Law Enforcement

&&

PR
Local storm report, May 31, 7:38 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
738 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0726 PM     Hail             2 WSW Humboldt          43.63N 97.12W
05/31/2026  M1.00 Inch       Minnehaha          SD   Trained Spotter

            In addition to hail up to the size of
            quarters, heavy rainfall was reported.

&&

TRM
Local storm report, May 31, 7:40 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
740 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0733 PM     Hail             4 SW Hurley             43.24N 97.15W
05/31/2026  E1.00 Inch       Turner             SD   Fire Dept/Rescue

&&

TRM
Local storm report, May 31, 8:05 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
805 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0754 PM     Hail             2 WNW Davis             43.27N 97.04W
05/31/2026  E1.00 Inch       Turner             SD   Public

&&

TRM
Local storm report, May 31, 8:18 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
818 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0817 PM     Hail             Wakonda                 43.01N 97.11W
05/31/2026  E0.88 Inch       Clay               SD   Trained Spotter

&&

TRM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 31, 7:06 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDMcCook, Minnehaha39 min
May 31, 7:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMcCook, Minnehaha52 min
May 31, 7:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDLincoln, Turner52 min
May 31, 7:42 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDMcCook, Minnehaha23 min
May 31, 7:50 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDTurner40 min
May 31, 7:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDMinnehaha51 min
May 31, 8:03 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDMinnehaha42 min
May 31, 8:29 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDLincoln, Turner46 min
May 31, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDClay, Lincoln, Turner, Yankton63 min
May 31, 8:43 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDMinnehaha32 min
May 31, 8:57 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedFSDLincoln, Turner35 min
May 31, 9:11 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDClay, Union49 min
May 31, 9:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDClay, Union47 min
May 31, 11:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFSDUnion52 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.