Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 38, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

September 1, 20264 counties in Iowa

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 1, 3:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr
Sep 1, 9:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-09-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2941 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-09-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 94 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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

$$

SG
2 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

$$

SG
006 
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.

&&

AJP
Local 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.

&&

JC
Local 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.

&&

JC
Local 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

&&

JC
Local 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.

&&

JC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 1, 9:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDLyon, Plymouth, Sioux51 min
Sep 1, 10:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDLyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux43 min
Sep 1, 10:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFSDDickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Sioux71 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.