Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 38, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this tornado warning at Sep 1, 2026, 10:04 PM CDT for 4 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Sep 1, 2026, 10:04 PM CDT (03:04 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 1, 2026, 10:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Lyon County, IA, O'Brien County, IA, Osceola County, IA, Sioux County, IA
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:08 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 3:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
| Sep 1, 9:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 3.1 hours before the alert went out and 215 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
- 2941 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -81 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1726 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 94 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 109 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.2
- Supercell composite
- 7.5
The text
As transmitted.
970
WFUS53 KFSD 020304
TORFSD
IAC119-141-143-167-020330-
/O.NEW.KFSD.TO.W.0038.260902T0304Z-260902T0330Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1004 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Lyon County in northwestern Iowa...
Southwestern Osceola County in northwestern Iowa...
Northeastern Sioux County in northwestern Iowa...
Northwestern O'Brien County in northwestern Iowa...
* Until 1030 PM CDT.
* At 1003 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located over Hull, or 9 miles northeast of Sioux
Center, moving northeast at 45 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Boyden and Matlock around 1010 PM CDT.
Ashton around 1015 PM CDT.
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.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 4315 9613 4322 9618 4340 9587 4325 9568
TIME...MOT...LOC 0303Z 241DEG 38KT 4320 9610
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
SG2 follow-up statements
630
WWUS53 KFSD 020318
SVSFSD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1018 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
IAC119-141-143-167-020330-
/O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260902T0330Z/
Lyon IA-Osceola IA-Sioux IA-O'Brien IA-
1018 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN LYON...SOUTHWESTERN OSCEOLA...NORTHEASTERN SIOUX AND
NORTHWESTERN O'BRIEN COUNTIES...
At 1017 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Matlock, or near Sheldon, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Ashton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 4330 9603 4340 9587 4325 9568 4319 9597
TIME...MOT...LOC 0317Z 255DEG 44KT 4324 9585
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
SG006 WWUS53 KFSD 020327 SVSFSD Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1027 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 IAC119-141-143-167-020336- /O.EXP.KFSD.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260902T0330Z/ Lyon IA-Osceola IA-Sioux IA-O'Brien IA- 1027 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LYON...SOUTHWESTERN OSCEOLA...NORTHEASTERN SIOUX AND NORTHWESTERN O'BRIEN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1030 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. 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 500 AM CDT for northwestern Iowa. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for eastern Lyon, northeastern Sioux, far northwestern O'Brien, and southeastern Osceola counties until 1045 PM CDT. && LAT...LON 4330 9603 4340 9587 4325 9568 4319 9597 TIME...MOT...LOC 0326Z 241DEG 38KT 4328 9575 $$ SG
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Sep 1, 6:36 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe weather risks increase quickly after 5pm in South Central South Dakota and North Central Nebraska, and will spread east northeast into the early overnight hours.
- A few discrete storms could initially produce 2"+ hail, 70 mph wind gusts, and even a tornado. Eventually, storms may merge into a wind driven line as they move towards MN/IA. Storms exit around 2am.
- Temperatures remain well above normal through the rest of this week and into the upcoming weekend, with highs in the 90s possible by mid-late week.
- The heat and humidity may bring occasional risks for overnight thunderstorms, with some focus around late Wednesday night and again Friday morning. Exact locations of storms remain uncertain.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 6:36 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 636 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe weather risks increase quickly after 5pm in South Central South Dakota and North Central Nebraska, and will spread east northeast into the early overnight hours. - A few discrete storms could initially produce 2"+ hail, 70 mph wind gusts, and even a tornado. Eventually, storms may merge into a wind driven line as they move towards MN/IA. Storms exit around 2am. - Temperatures remain well above normal through the rest of this week and into the upcoming weekend, with highs in the 90s possible by mid-late week. - The heat and humidity may bring occasional risks for overnight thunderstorms, with some focus around late Wednesday night and again Friday morning. Exact locations of storms remain uncertain. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 111 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 THIS AFTERNOON: A complex convective setup this afternoon as a pair of mid-lvl vorticity centers continue to pivot northeast. One such area continues to push north of Sioux Falls, with a second stronger area of energy now lifting northward through the Nebraska panhandle. The result thus far has been a significantly contaminated warm sector with plenty of mid-upr clouds over the Tri-State region. At the surface, a stationary boundary/warm front currently stretches from the Platte River to north of Omaha and north of Ames. The airmass north of this boundary continues to warm, suggesting some potential for a northward push in this front by evening as deeper synoptic lift arrives, but for the most part this area will remain capped to surface based convection into late afternoon. LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING/TONIGHT: We'll continue to see MLCAPE values climb upwards through the afternoon, potentially between 2000-3000 J/KG, but how far north with this instability reach is still uncertain. Ongoing elevated convection in NC Nebraska may keep some areas north of I-90 from any significant level of destabilization, with the largest reservoir of CAPE along and especially south of I- 90. Most guidance would favor new convective development along an surface convergence zone in NE Nebraska or SC South Dakota after 5pm in a narrow corridor of deeper instability. Given favorable shear profiles (effective shear 40+ knots), any initial development should have supercellular characteristics capable of 2" hail and 70 mph winds. Additional convection may try to develop over central Nebraska and lift northward to the MO River in the evening. As we move through the mid-late evening hours, 0-1km shear will be on the rise as the LLJ develops, introducing at least the low end potential for a brief tornado south of I-90 if storms can stay discrete. Though boundary layer stabilization will be on the increase and LCLs remain quite high. Otherwise, watch for gradual clustering of storms as they track east northeast into MN/IA which would increase the potential of 70+ mph winds, with a continued very low probability of a QLCS- like tornado into NW Iowa. 17Z SSCRAM-HRRR data would support the rising potential for high winds extending north of Highway 20, with brief hail potential in new updrafts driven by the LLJ further north into western MN. Latest projections continue to push convection east of the CWA by 2am, with light winds and wet ground perhaps allowing patch fog to develop. WEDNESDAY: Brief shortwave ridging tries to move in early Wednesday as the surface front settles back into eastern Nebraska and north central Iowa. A few lingering elevated showers/thunderstorms may persist into NW Iowa through mid- morning. With a slightly drier easterly wind, temperatures again rise into the middle to upper 80s, with the latest guidance supporting a strong enough EML to prevent convection along the boundary. The return of the nocturnal LLJ Wednesday night could again lead to isolated to scattered elevated convection into Thursday morning. THURSDAY-FRIDAY: Confidence remains rather high that temperatures continue to rise towards the lower 90s in most locations for the end of the week. Increasing mid-lvl heights through the Plains will help push low-lvl temperatures well above normal, with H850 temps +26C Thursday and Friday. The greatest challenge in the medium range will be timing and tracking one or more weak ridge riders that will cross the Plains into the weekend. Once such wave may drop down from the NW into MInnesota early Friday morning, perhaps leaving an outflow boundary near the Minnesota River/Ridge areas for the afternoon. SATURDAY-MONDAY: Temperatures remain above normal through the weekend and into early next week as the 500 mb ridge peaks through the central CONUS. One or more weak waves top the ridge during the weekend, creating a very low confidence PoP forecast during the overnight hours. Should one of these waves track close enough to the CWA they could lead to some temperature reductions. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 636 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 Developing thunderstorms near the Nebraska/South Dakota border will push eastwards this evening, bringing periods of IFR to MVFR visibilities and ceilings. Overall timing of storms has changed very little from the previous set of TAFs. These storms, if they directly impact a terminal, may bring hail and severe caliber winds. KFSD seems to hold the highest risk of seeing thunderstorm activity, but predictability was still a little too low to introduce a TEMPO. Overnight, storms will clear. There is a low chance for fog to develop for an hour or two around sunrise. Winds tomorrow should remain at or under 10 knots generally out of the south/southeast without gusts. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && DISCUSSION...Dux AVIATION...Rafferty
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 1:57 PM CDT, 8 hours 7 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 157 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-021900- 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- 157 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 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. Scattered thunderstorms will increase in coverage late this afternoon and evening. A few of these storms may become severe capable of 2 inch hail and 70 mph winds. While very low, a brief tornado could be possible in areas south of I-90 towards the Missouri River this evening. One or more clusters of storms may form and move east northeast into the early overnight hours, with areas along and south of a line from Gregory to Sioux Falls to Tracy with the greatest risks. These storm clusters could bring 70 mph or locally greater winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Periodic thunderstorm chances continue through Thursday with spotty rain chances potentially into the weekend. Severe weather is not expected or should remain very isolated. Heat will build into the area with heat indices from 90 to 100 Thursday through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed in areas especially along and south of I-90 after 6pm and continue through 2am.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:23 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
923 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0905 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Vermillion 42.78N 96.95W
09/01/2026 Clay SD Trained Spotter
Spotter reported multiple large branches
down, estimated between 3 and 5 inches at
the base. Also reported the rain was flying
sideways, but no hail at time of report.
Report aligns with radar data at that time.
&&
AJPLocal storm report, Sep 1, 9:28 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
928 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0910 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSW Vermillion 42.77N 96.93W
09/01/2026 M67 MPH Clay SD AWOS
AWOS system KVMR.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Sep 1, 9:34 PM CDT, 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
934 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0907 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Vermillion 42.78N 96.93W
09/01/2026 Clay SD Emergency Mngr
Reports of large trees down in city limits.
&&Local storm report, Sep 1, 9:38 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
938 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 10 SSE Alcester 42.89N 96.54W
09/01/2026 M60 MPH Union SD Public
Wind measured by anemometer.
&&
JCLocal storm report, Sep 1, 9:45 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
945 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0926 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Beresford 43.04N 96.80W
09/01/2026 M58 MPH Union SD Dept of Highways
&&
JCLocal storm report, Sep 1, 9:54 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
954 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0950 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 9 NNE Hawarden 43.12N 96.43W
09/01/2026 M81 MPH Sioux IA Public
Measured by personal weather station.
&&
JCThe office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 9:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lyon, Plymouth, Sioux | 51 min |
| Sep 1, 10:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux | 43 min |
| Sep 1, 10:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Sioux | 71 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.