Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 13, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this tornado warning at May 17, 2026, 7:47 PM CDT for Cherokee County, Plymouth County, Woodbury County, Iowa. It was in force for 43 min. 15 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 17, 2026, 7:47 PM CDT (00:47 UTC)
- Expired
- May 17, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 43 min
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Cherokee County, IA, Plymouth County, IA, Woodbury County, IA
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:49 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, 7:48 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 67 | Lawton, IA | Via personal weather station. |
| May 17, 7:48 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 67 | Lawton, IA | Via personal weather station. |
| May 17, 7:49 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 63 | Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. |
| May 17, 7:49 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 63 | Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. |
| May 17, 7:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 77 | Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 7:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 77 | Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 7:51 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Moville, IA | Several videos and photos via social media of large trees down, including some on houses or other structures. |
| May 17, 7:56 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 75 | 3 Ne Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 7:56 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 75 | 3 Ne Moville, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 7:56 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 Nw Kingsley, IA | Kingsley Fire reported brief tornado near C60 and Pioneer Ave. |
| May 17, 7:56 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 Nw Kingsley, IA | Kingsley Fire reported brief tornado near C60 and Pioneer Ave. |
| May 17, 7:57 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 74 | 1 Sw Pierson, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 7:57 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 74 | 1 Sw Pierson, IA | Via personal weather station. Exact time estimated via radar. |
| May 17, 8:03 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Ne Pierson, IA | Photos via social media of destroyed outbuilding and tree damage 6 miles west of Washta. |
| May 17, 8:12 PM CDT | TORNADO | 7 S Marcus, IA | Video of brief gustnado. Location estimated. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 140 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
- 2478 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -15 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1258 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 178 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 298 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 2.0
- Supercell composite
- 17.9
The text
As transmitted.
455
WFUS53 KFSD 180047
TORFSD
IAC035-149-193-180130-
/O.NEW.KFSD.TO.W.0013.260518T0047Z-260518T0130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
747 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northeastern Woodbury County in west central Iowa...
Southeastern Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...
* Until 830 PM CDT.
* At 747 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located over
Lawton, or 12 miles east of Sioux City, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* These dangerous storms will be near...
Moville and Kingsley around 755 PM CDT.
Pierson around 800 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Washta.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4242 9622 4253 9626 4276 9576 4256 9566
4256 9574 4252 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 0047Z 244DEG 35KT 4248 9616
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
BP3 follow-up statements
324
WWUS53 KFSD 180059
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
759 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
IAC035-149-193-180130-
/O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0130Z/
Cherokee IA-Woodbury IA-Plymouth IA-
759 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CHEROKEE...NORTHEASTERN WOODBURY AND SOUTHEASTERN
PLYMOUTH COUNTIES...
At 759 PM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Moville, or 19 miles southeast of Le Mars, moving northeast at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
These dangerous storms will be near...
Kingsley and Pierson around 805 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Washta.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4246 9604 4257 9618 4276 9576 4256 9566
4256 9574 4252 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 0059Z 244DEG 35KT 4253 9602
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
BP187
WWUS53 KFSD 180107
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
IAC035-149-193-180130-
/O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0130Z/
Cherokee IA-Woodbury IA-Plymouth IA-
807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CHEROKEE...NORTHEASTERN WOODBURY AND SOUTHEASTERN
PLYMOUTH COUNTIES...
At 807 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Kingsley, or 19
miles southeast of Le Mars, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Emergency management confirmed tornado. At 757 PM CDT, the
local fire department reported a tornado 5 miles northwest
of Kingsley.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornado will be near...
Pierson and Washta around 810 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4250 9597 4259 9613 4276 9576 4256 9566
4256 9574 4252 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 0107Z 244DEG 35KT 4256 9593
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
BP084
WWUS53 KFSD 180124
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
824 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
IAC035-149-193-180134-
/O.EXP.KFSD.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0130Z/
Cherokee IA-Woodbury IA-Plymouth IA-
824 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CHEROKEE...NORTHEASTERN
WOODBURY AND SOUTHEASTERN PLYMOUTH COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 830 PM
CDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
and west central Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4250 9597 4259 9613 4276 9576 4256 9566
4256 9574 4252 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 244DEG 35KT 4262 9575
$$
BPThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 7:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Plymouth, Sioux | 28 min |
| May 17, 7:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | O'Brien, Osceola | 26 min |
| May 17, 7:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Woodbury | 49 min |
| May 17, 7:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Cherokee, Ida, Plymouth, Woodbury | 58 min |
| May 17, 8:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux | 45 min |
| May 17, 8:03 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | FSD | Plymouth, Sioux | 3 hr |
| May 17, 8:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Ida, O'Brien and 3 more | 54 min |
| May 17, 8:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, O'Brien | 28 min |
| May 17, 8:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Clay, Dickinson | 27 min |
| May 17, 8:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Clay, Dickinson | 51 min |
| May 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Cherokee, Ida, Plymouth, Woodbury | 49 min |
| May 18, 5:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, O'Brien | 42 min |
| May 18, 6:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Plymouth, Sioux | 37 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.