South Dakota, 2019

Damaging Winds in South Dakota, July 16, 2019

July 16, 2019 · NWS UNR · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

A severe thunderstorm tracked northeast from Wyoming across western portions of Fall River and Custer Counties. The storm produced wind gusts to 70 mph and small hail.

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 severe thunderstorm tracked northeast from Wyoming across western portions of Fall River and Custer Counties. The storm produced wind gusts to 70 mph and small hail.

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 Jul 16, 4:07 PM MST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 4:07 PM MST, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
507 PM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Tuesday)
Issued at 213 PM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019

Upper level zonal flow continued this morning across the northern
Great Plains today, with a transition to west northwest this
afternoon ahead of an approaching Pacific coast trough. A series of
strong waves are crossing western Montana through central Wyoming
and Colorado. Surface analysis shows low pressure across Wyoming,
with southeast moist flow across western SD. Dewpoints have once
again reached the 60s to around 70 across much of the area...and
drier across NE WY. Plenty of instability in place with MLCAPE of
1500-2500 J/kg. Effective bulk shear is increasing across the area,
peaking this afternoon at 50-60kt. Storm initiation will be across
typical higher terrain west and southwest of the CWA, which has
already begun. CAMs have been showing Laramie Range convection
moving northeast into southwest SD, crossing the southern Black
Hills around 00z, then continuing east-northwest into central SD. A
secondary line is then progged to cross northeast WY late this
afternoon or early this evening, then push through northwest SD
through the evening. Areawide is favorable for large hail, damaging
winds, and perhaps a tornado, but is most favorable across the
northern half of the CWA where shear is the strongest. Storms will
depart late this evening or just past midnight, with lingering
showers possible overnight behind a cold front pushing through.
Broad cyclonic flow will sit across the western half of the CONUS
Wednesday, with quiet morning weather and highs in the 80s. Still
enough post-frontal instability and shear for some storm
development, but coverage will be much less than today. Storms may
initiate across the Black Hills while others move in from the west.
A few could be strong or severe. Otherwise generally drier weather
is expected for the rest of the week as the main flow slides
northward. Temps will be near to slightly above average. The warmest
day will be Thursday, with highs well into the 90s across southwest
to south central SD.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Wednesday Evening)
Issued At 506 PM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019

Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop over the next few
hours. Severe storms are likely, with large hail, very gusty
winds, and torrential rainfall expected. LIFR conditions will be
possible in and near storms. Otherwise, VFR conditions are
expected.

&&

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

DISCUSSION...13
AVIATION...13
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 16, 4:37 AM MST, 12 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
537 AM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019

SDZ012-024>031-041-042-072>074-WYZ054>058-071-171300-
Butte-Northern Black Hills-Northern Foot Hills-Rapid City-
Southern Foot Hills-Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-
Custer Co Plains-Pennington Co Plains-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-
Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-Southern Meade Co Plains-
Hermosa Foot Hills-Northern Campbell-Southern Campbell-
Western Crook-Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-Northeastern Crook-
537 AM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are expected this
afternoon and evening across the area. Large hail, damaging winds,
and torrential rainfall are the main concern with any storm. An
isolated tornado or two will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

There is a chance for a few stronger thunderstorms on Wednesday,
with hail and strong wind gusts the main threats. Isolated
thunderstorms will be possible again on Friday, and into the
weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today.

&&

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

SDZ001-002-013-014-032-043-044-046-047-049-171300-
Harding-Perkins-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach-Haakon-Jackson-
Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-
537 AM MDT Tue Jul 16 2019 /637 AM CDT Tue Jul 16 2019/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western South
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are expected this
afternoon and evening across the area. Large hail, damaging winds,
and torrential rainfall are the main concern with any storm. An
isolated tornado or two will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible on Wednesday, and again
on Friday and into the weekend. Organized severe storms are not
anticipated at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today.

&&

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 16, 1:57 PM MST, 3 hours 19 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 16, 2:47 PM MST, 2 hours 29 minutes before
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The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fall River

When
July 16, 5:16 PM MST
Where
Fall River County, 9.55 mi W of Edgemont
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.300, -104.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
July 16, 6:00 PM MST
Where
Custer County, 4 mi NW of Argyle
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.571, -103.707

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in South Dakota in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in South Dakota, July 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 840335, 840336.