Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, August 6, 2019

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, August 6, 2019
Start: 2019-08-06T14:00
End: 2019-08-06T21:04
Location: South Dakota

August 6, 2019 · NWS ABR · 50 events in 10 counties and zones

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 50

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 ABR wrote it up.

A surface low pressure area and attached cold front triggered storms across north central South Dakota which became quickly severe. The severe storms became destructive as they moved southeast from the late afternoon through the evening hours. Extensive crop and property damage resulted from winds up to eighty mph along with large hail to baseball size or larger across portions of Corson, Dewey, Walworth, Potter, Sully, Hughes, and Lyman counties. Two rounds of severe storms about an hour apart affected areas roughly from Blunt to Lower Brule to Iona. Siding, windows, and vehicles were damaged along the path of the storms. Some big round hay bales were also rolled for quite a distance by the severe winds.

The most destructive path of grassland and crop damage occurred from Little Eagle in Corson county southeast to near Onida in Sully county. Several thousand acres of crops and grassland were destroyed along an estimated 70 mile path which varied from 2 to 6 miles wide. Satellite imagery showed the path of destruction.

The radar

The Bismarck radar (KBIS), 124 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

34 hail, 15 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Corson

When: August 6, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 9 mi S of Watauga
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.790, -101.540

Sixty mph winds were estimated.

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 9 mi S of Watauga
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.790, -101.540

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 2:25 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 5.02 mi WSW of Little Eagle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.650, -100.920

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 2:25 PM MST to 3:26 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 6.67 mi SSE of Little Eagle to 5.81 mi E of Trail City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.580, -100.770

Large hail and severe winds began a destructive path of crop and grassland damage from near Little Eagle and to the southeast before moving into eastern Dewey county.

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 2:45 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 4.22 mi SE of Little Eagle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.620, -100.770

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 3.45 mi N of Trail City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.520, -100.730

Quarter size hail piled up to near 5 inches in spots with the corn stripped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dewey

When: August 6, 3:04 PM MST
Where: Dewey County, 3.88 mi W of Trail City
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.470, -100.810

Hail, Corson

When: August 6, 3:24 PM MST
Where: Corson County, 4.89 mi E of Trail City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.480, -100.630

Quarter size hail stripped a lot of corn.

Hail, Dewey

When: August 6, 3:26 PM MST to 4:12 PM MST
Where: Dewey County, 5.81 mi E of Trail City to 6.42 mi N of Cheyenne Agency
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.470, -100.610

A severe thunderstorm with large hail and destructive winds left southeast Corson and continued southeast across eastern Dewey county destroying crop and grassland in its path. The storm then entered western Potter county.

Hail, Potter

When: August 6, 5:12 PM CST to 5:43 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 16.49 mi NW of Gorman to 3.59 mi SW of Gorman
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.103, -100.297

A severe thunderstorm with large hail and destructive winds left southeast Dewey crossing the Missouri River into western Potter county continuing to destroy crop and grassland in its path. The storm continued to move southeast entering northern Sully county.

Hail, Potter

When: August 6, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 12.92 mi NW of Gorman
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.050, -100.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: August 6, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 12.92 mi NW of Gorman
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.050, -100.270

Hail, Potter

When: August 6, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 12.92 mi NW of Gorman
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.050, -100.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: August 6, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 11.23 mi WNW of Gorman
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.000, -100.280

Eighty mph winds along with tennis ball size hail shredded siding, broke many windows, along with downing many trees. Hail piled up to 7 to 8 inches deep in places.

Hail, Potter

When: August 6, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Potter County, 11.23 mi WNW of Gorman
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.000, -100.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When: August 6, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Campbell County, 6.59 mi ESE of Herreid
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.800, -99.940

Sixty mph winds downed some large tree branches.

Hail, Campbell

When: August 6, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Campbell County, 6.59 mi ESE of Herreid
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.800, -99.940

Hail, Sully

When: August 6, 5:39 PM CST
Where: Sully County, 5.93 mi NW of Agar
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.900, -100.140

Golf ball hail broke all windows on the north side of the house.

Hail, Sully

When: August 6, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Sully County, 5.88 mi E of Laurel
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.820, -100.200

Hail, Sully

When: August 6, 5:43 PM CST to 5:58 PM CST
Where: Sully County, 5.38 mi NW of Agar to 0.58 mi E of Onida
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.890, -100.140

A destructive hail and wind storm left Potter county and entered northern Sully county continuing to the southeast and destroying crops and grassland until the storm weakened near Onida.

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When: August 6, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Campbell County, 8.95 mi SSW of Artas
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.760, -99.890

Sixty mph winds along with hail damaged crops and the garden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sully

When: August 6, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Sully County, 5.88 mi E of Laurel
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.820, -100.200

Estimated seventy mph winds downed a large tree onto some power lines.

Hail, Sully

When: August 6, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Sully County, 0.69 mi N of Onida
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.710, -100.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When: August 6, 5:53 PM CST
Where: Campbell County, 15.06 mi ESE of Mound City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.660, -99.770

Sixty mph winds were estimated.

Funnel Cloud, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 3.49 mi S of Blunt
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 44.470, -99.970

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:16 PM CST to 6:53 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 6.19 mi NW of Java Jct to 0.69 mi N of Java
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.590, -100.000

Golf ball to baseball size hail along with severe winds brought a destructive path of crops from northwest of Java to Java during the evening hours. The path width was anywhere from 2 to 5 miles. The destruction was shown on satellite.

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:18 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 3.37 mi NE of Selby
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.540, -99.990

Thunderstorm Wind, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:18 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 3.37 mi NE of Selby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.540, -99.990

Sixty mph winds were estimated with quarter size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 1.63 mi WSW of Blunt
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 44.510, -100.010

Seventy-eight mph winds were measured along with tennis ball size hail.

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 1.63 mi WSW of Blunt
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.510, -100.010

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:21 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 0.49 mi E of Blunt
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.520, -99.970

Golf ball to baseball size hail fell in an around Blunt with many windows broken along with siding damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:21 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 0.49 mi E of Blunt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.520, -99.970

Estimated sixty-five mph winds occurred with baseball size hail with windows and siding damaged.

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:28 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 2.29 mi SSE of Java
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.470, -99.880

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 2.29 mi SSE of Java
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.470, -99.880

Golf ball to baseball size hail broke home and vehicle windows.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:33 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 2.29 mi SSE of Java
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.470, -99.880

Sixty mph winds were estimated.

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 6.76 mi ESE of Java
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.450, -99.780

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:47 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 10.12 mi ESE of Lowry
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.270, -99.780

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 6:48 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 6.96 mi E of De Grey
Measured: 3 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 44.270, -99.780

A storm chaser reported hail stones of 3 inches or larger.

Hail, Walworth

When: August 6, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 11.92 mi ESE of Lowry
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.270, -99.740

Half dollar size hail caused some garden and crop damage.

Hail, Edmunds

When: August 6, 7:04 PM CST
Where: Edmunds County, 13.9 mi S of Bowdle
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 45.250, -99.640

Hail, Lyman

When: August 6, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 8.47 mi W of Lower Brule
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.090, -99.740

Hail, Faulk

When: August 6, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Faulk County, 3.96 mi W of Onaka
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.190, -99.560

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 0.49 mi E of Blunt
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.520, -99.970

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 7:28 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 5.12 mi ESE of Blunt
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.500, -99.880

Thunderstorm Wind, Lyman

When: August 6, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 0.5 mi E of Reliance Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.850, -99.560

Hail, Hughes

When: August 6, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Hughes County, 8.45 mi SE of De Grey
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.210, -99.780

Hail, Lyman

When: August 6, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 0.85 mi SW of Lower Brule
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 44.070, -99.580

Tennis to baseball size hail damaged homes and vehicle windows.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lyman

When: August 6, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 0.85 mi SW of Lower Brule
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 44.070, -99.580

Sixty mph winds were estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lyman

When: August 6, 8:57 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 2.56 mi NE of Iona
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.560, -99.400

Eighty mph winds downed trees and took shingles off the roof.

Hail, Lyman

When: August 6, 9:04 PM CST
Where: Lyman County, 2.13 mi SSW of Iona
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.500, -99.440

Golf ball size hail or larger damaged siding, broke windows, and severely damaged crops.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 851454, 851465, 851021, 851409, 851022, 851023, 851455, 851024, 851421, 851425, 851025, 851456, 851463, 851451, 853010, 851457, 851464, 851026, 851027, 851432, 851452, 851467, 851028, 851458, 851020, 851443, 851029, 851468, 851459, 853002, 851030, 851466, 851031, 851032, 851460, 851033, 851034, 851035, 851036, 851037, and more.