Hail in South Dakota, August 17, 2019

Name: Hail in South Dakota, August 17, 2019
Start: 2019-08-17T12:05
End: 2019-08-17T12:06
Location: South Dakota

August 17, 2019 · NWS UNR · 2 events in 1 county or zone

A thunderstorm briefly became severe in the Piedmont area, producing hail around quarter size.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS UNR wrote it up.

A thunderstorm briefly became severe in the Piedmont area, producing hail around quarter size.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Rapid City, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 17, 10:51 AM MST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 10:51 AM MST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1151 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

.DISCUSSION...(Today Through Friday)
Issued at 145 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

An upper low is spinning over Saskatchewan, and upper
flow is nearly zonal over the northern plains. A weak shortwave
continues to push through SD, and a few storms have developed over
the southern CWA. The next wave to affect the region is crossing the
Canadian border into MT. At the surface, the cold front is
approaching from the northwest. Winds are southerly around 10 kts,
and temperatures are in the 50s.

The cold front will cross the CWA today. Besides cooler temperatures
and breezy northwest winds, showers and thunderstorms will follow
the front. Around 1500 to 2000 J/kg MLCAPE will develop ahead of the
front by this afternoon across southwestern to central SD. With 0-6
km shear around 50 kts, conditions will be favorable for severe
thunderstorms. Low-level CAPE and LCLs look conducive for tornadoes
towards central SD, but low-level shear and helicity aren't that
impressive. Storms are expected to shift east of the CWA by
midnight. Highs today will range from the 60s across the
northwestern CWA to the lower 80s across south central SD.

Surface high pressure will slide into SD Sunday morning, with return
flow developing across the area as the high shifts eastward in the
afternoon. Temperatures will warm back into the 70s and 80s on
Sunday, and into the 80s and 90s on Monday. With weak upper ridging
over the Pacific Northwest, dry conditions are expected Sunday and
Monday.

Isolated storms will return for the rest of the week, as weak
shortwave pass over the region. Temperatures will be in the upper
70s to 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Sunday)
Issued At 1145 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

A cold front dropping southeast across the region today will bring
scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be
severe with large hail and gusty winds. MVFR conditions are
possible through 18/06z with the storms. Aft 18/06z the showers
and storms are expected to have pushed east out of the area.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Pojorlie
AVIATION...Hintz

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 17, 10:02 AM MST, 2 hours 3 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1102 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

SDZ014-024-026>032-041>044-046-047-049-072>074-181315-
Ziebach-Northern Black Hills-Rapid City-Southern Foot Hills-
Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-Custer Co Plains-
Pennington Co Plains-Haakon-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-Jackson-
Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-
Southern Meade Co Plains-Hermosa Foot Hills-
1102 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019 /1202 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwestern
South Dakota...south central South Dakota...southwestern South
Dakota...and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of
a cold front crossing the area. Severe thunderstorms are
possible, with large hail and damaging wind gusts. An isolated
tornado is also possible...mainly east of a Haakon to Oglala-
Lakota County line.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Isolated thunderstorms are possible each day from Tuesday through
Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible after 1pm MDT this afternoon.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

SDZ001-002-012-013-025-WYZ054>058-071-181315-
Harding-Perkins-Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-
Northern Foot Hills-Northern Campbell-Southern Campbell-
Western Crook-Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-Northeastern Crook-
1102 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwestern
South Dakota...northeast Wyoming...and the Black Hills of
Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon
and evening behind a cold front crossing the area. A few strong to
severe are possible, with large hail and damaging wind gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Isolated thunderstorms are possible each day from Tuesday through
Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be possible this afternoon.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 17, 10:14 AM MST, 1 hour 51 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
1114 AM MDT SAT AUG 17 2019

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

1109 AM     HAIL             DEADWOOD                44.38N 103.73W
08/17/2019  E1.50 INCH       LAWRENCE           SD   NWS EMPLOYEE

            BEGAN AS QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND IS CURRENTLY PING PONG
            BALL SIZE

&&

EAGAN

Local storm report, Aug 17, 10:30 AM MST, 1 hour 35 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
1130 AM MDT SAT AUG 17 2019

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

1105 AM     HAIL             1 NNE DEADWOOD          44.39N 103.72W
08/17/2019  E1.50 INCH       LAWRENCE           SD   PUBLIC

            SMALL HAIL BEGAN 11AM WITH PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL
            FROM 1105 TO 1115.

&&

EAGAN

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 10:39 AM MST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1139 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

SDZ024-025-072-073-171815-
Northern Black Hills SD-Northern Foot Hills SD-
Southern Meade Co Plains SD-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills SD-
1139 AM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 1138 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sturgis, moving east at 30 mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Sturgis, Whitewood, Apple Springs, Bear Butte State Park and Fort
Meade.

This includes Interstate 90 in South Dakota between Mile Markers 25
and 38.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm is producing large quantities of hail. Driving through
deep hail is like driving on slushy roads. Slow down and do not brake
suddenly.

&&

LAT...LON 4429 10359 4443 10370 4460 10336 4437 10318
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 248DEG 25KT 4440 10352

Eagan

Local storm report, Aug 17, 10:53 AM MST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
1153 AM MDT SAT AUG 17 2019

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

1106 AM     HAIL             DEADWOOD                44.38N 103.73W
08/17/2019  E1.75 INCH       LAWRENCE           SD   PUBLIC

            HAIL BEGAN AT 1105 WITH LARGEST STONES A FEW MINUTES
            LATER.

&&

EAGAN

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 11:40 AM MST, 25 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1240 PM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

WYZ058-171915-
Weston WY-
1240 PM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL WESTON COUNTY UNTIL
115 PM MDT...

At 1239 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southwest of Upton, or 28 miles west of Newcastle, moving east
at 10 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This storm will cross Highway 116 west of Highway 16 in north
central Weston County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4392 10481 4406 10480 4408 10459 4388 10462
TIME...MOT...LOC 1839Z 271DEG 8KT 4400 10473

Eagan

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 11:55 AM MST, 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1255 PM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

SDZ028-171930-
Central Black Hills SD-
1255 PM MDT Sat Aug 17 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL PENNINGTON COUNTY
UNTIL 130 PM MDT...

At 1254 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Silver City, or 6 miles north of Hill City, moving
northeast at 20 mph.

Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Johnson Siding, Silver City, Hisega, Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan
Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If on or near Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan Lake, get out of the
water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can
strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to
safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4404 10367 4415 10351 4414 10349 4406 10335
      4403 10334 4394 10351 4394 10361
TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 228DEG 16KT 4403 10357

Eagan

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 47 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:03 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Meade

When: August 17, 12:05 PM MST
Where: Meade County, 1 mi NNW of Piedmont
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 44.243, -103.398

Hail, Meade

When: August 17, 12:06 PM MST
Where: Meade County, 2 mi NW of Piedmont
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.251, -103.419

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Dakota in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in South Dakota, August 2019

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 846507, 846508.