A line of thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 70 mph in the Gillette area.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS UNR wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 70 mph in the Gillette area.
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 23, 4:19 PM MST, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 519 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019 .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Friday) Issued at 328 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019 Current surface analysis shows stalled out and weakening frontal boundary over the Black Hills area, with weak low pressure along it across southeast WY. Upper level analysis shows trough axis over western WY into UT and western CO, with weak low pressure centered over northwest WY. Skies are variably cloudy across the area, with the most sun generally over northeast WY and south central SD. Temps are in the 70s behind the boundary, upper 70s to mid 80s east of it. Winds are northwesterly behind the boundary over northeast WY, southerly to the east, breezy toward central SD. KUDX radar mostly quiet at the moment, but regional radars show activity developing over the higher terrain of eastern WY. A severe thunderstorm watch was just issued for northeast WY and far southwest SD for late this afternoon and early evening as storms move north-northeast into the area. This is where the best threat for severe storms is right now, but the watch could be expanded at least a bit further north across far western SD at a later time if any stronger storms stay organized on the northeast edge of the watch. Corridor of strongest instability late today is from the NE panhandle, northward through the Black Hills area/far western SD and into western ND, near and ahead of the stalled out boundary, where MLCAPE values of 1500 to over 2000 j/kg are forecast. However, shear continues to look relatively weak in many areas, most favorable from northeast WY to the NE panhandle late today. Hail may be the primary threat early on, with wind becoming more of a threat into the evening. High precipitable water values could lead to localized heavy rainfall from northeast WY to the Black Hills and possibly into northwest SD. The bulk of activity should move out of the area by midnight, but isolated to widely scattered showers and storms are possible overnight as low level jet intensifies again over western SD. Upper trough will move slowly east across the western Dakotas on Saturday, with main chances for showers and storms to the north and east of the Black Hills, especially toward central SD. Many areas further to the west will remain dry as frontal boundary washes out over the area. Instability will not be as strong tomorrow, most favorable from the Black Hills to central SD, but shear will increase, allowing for isolated strong storm potential. Highs will be in the mid 70s to mid 80s, with breezy southerly winds toward central SD. Trough exits the area Saturday night, while another approaches the region for later Sunday into Sunday night. Associated cold front will move through the area primarily during the afternoon and evening, with additional chances for storms. At this point, the better chances for storms look to be across northern portions of the CWA in the afternoon, shifting south across the rest of the area Sunday night. Sufficient instability and shear should lead to at least a marginal threat for stronger storms. Cooler air will arrive for much of next week, with highs in the 70s on most days across the Plains, 60s over the Black Hills. Drier northwest flow aloft behind the late weekend system and ahead of building ridge over the west coast will lead to drier conditions. However, cannot rule out weak disturbances bringing a few showers and storms at times, especially toward mid to late week. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued At 518 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019 Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop across northeastern Wyoming late this afternoon and will move into western South Dakota early this evening. Widespread MVFR/Local IFR ceilings will develop again tonight. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && DISCUSSION...26 AVIATION...10
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Rapid City SD 515 AM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019 SDZ046-047-049-241300- Mellette-Todd-Tripp- 615 AM CDT Fri Aug 23 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to isolated thunderstorms are possible today and tonight. Severe weather is not expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible through Sunday. Isolated severe weather is possible. .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 SDZ001-002-012>014-024>032-041>044-072>074-WYZ054>058-071-241300- Harding-Perkins-Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach- Northern Black Hills-Northern Foot 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-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills- Southern Meade Co Plains-Hermosa Foot Hills-Northern Campbell- Southern Campbell-Western Crook-Wyoming Black Hills-Weston- Northeastern Crook- 515 AM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to isolated thunderstorms are expected today and especially tonight. Isolated severe weather is possible as well as locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Isolated thunderstorms are possible through Sunday. Isolated severe weather is possible Saturday. .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
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
431 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
SDZ024-232300-
Northern Black Hills SD-
431 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 430 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles southwest of Cheyenne Crossing, or 10 miles southwest of Lead,
moving southeast at 5 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern
Lawrence County to the southwest of Cheyenne Crossing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4427 10397 4430 10392 4427 10372 4418 10381
4414 10389 4420 10397
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 305DEG 5KT 4425 10393
SherburnSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
505 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
SDZ024-232330-
Northern Black Hills SD-
505 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 505 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 3
miles east of O'Neil Pass, or 13 miles southwest of Lead, moving
northwest at 5 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
O'Neil Pass and Crooks Tower.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4416 10400 4421 10401 4429 10395 4425 10383
4420 10382 4414 10389 4414 10392
TIME...MOT...LOC 2305Z 119DEG 6KT 4421 10394
SherburnSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
539 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
WYZ055-240015-
Southern Campbell WY-
539 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHWESTERN CAMPBELL COUNTY...
At 539 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles west of Pine Tree Junction, or 20 miles southwest of Wright,
moving northeast at 10 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pine Tree Junction and Pumpkin Buttes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern Wyoming.
LAT...LON 4370 10601 4372 10569 4358 10573 4349 10580
4349 10602
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 203DEG 9KT 4362 10587
SherburnSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
615 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
WYZ055-240045-
Southern Campbell WY-
615 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHWESTERN CAMPBELL COUNTY...
At 615 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Savageton, or 15 miles northwest of Wright, moving north at 30 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Wright, Pine Tree Junction, Savageton and Pumpkin Buttes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern Wyoming.
LAT...LON 4382 10602 4388 10600 4405 10601 4401 10539
4355 10558 4357 10602
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 189DEG 26KT 4384 10579
SherburnSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
631 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
WYZ054-055-240115-
Northern Campbell WY-Southern Campbell WY-
631 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER CENTRAL CAMPBELL COUNTY...
At 630 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Powder River Rest Area to
14 miles north of Reno Junction. Movement was north at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Gillette, Echeta, Camplex Event Facility and Gillette Airport.
This includes Interstate 90 in Wyoming between Mile Markers 97 and
136.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern Wyoming.
LAT...LON 4443 10602 4446 10601 4445 10525 4401 10538
4405 10601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0030Z 182DEG 18KT 4413 10606 4397 10551
SherburnSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
643 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
WYZ055-058-240115-
Weston WY-Southern Campbell WY-
643 PM MDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTHEASTERN CAMPBELL AND SOUTHWESTERN
WESTON COUNTIES...
At 642 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles southeast of Reno Junction to near
Dull Center. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Wright, Clareton, Rochelle and Reno Junction.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms 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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern Wyoming.
LAT...LON 4400 10550 4367 10451 4350 10469 4350 10528
4378 10556
TIME...MOT...LOC 0042Z 205DEG 20KT 4365 10532 4341 10494
SherburnThe Rapid City radar (KUDX), 216 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:12 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A 20 foot section of a metal roof and the rafters attached to the roof, were lifted off a newer building and landed 300 feet away.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, August 2019
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: 846521.