South Dakota, 2020

Damaging Winds in South Dakota, June 6, 2020

June 6, 2020 · NWS UNR · 39 events in 9 counties and zones

A long duration derecho tracked northeastward from Wyoming to the Black Hills area and across northwestern South Dakota. Wind gusts as high as 90 mph were reported across the area.

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
1
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
39

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 long duration derecho tracked northeastward from Wyoming to the Black Hills area and across northwestern South Dakota. Wind gusts as high as 90 mph were reported across the area. Some trees and power poles were downed, along with mostly minor property damage.

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 Jun 6, 4:19 PM MST, 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 6, 4:19 PM MST, 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
519 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Saturday)
Issued at 231 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

Latest surface analysis shows warm front has pushed northward
into northeastern Wyoming along with southwestern and south
central South Dakota, with the boundary roughly located from the
far northeastern corner of WY to the Black Hills then eastward
to north of KPHP. The front will continue to push northward this
aftn and eve. Temperatures to the south of the front are mainly in
the 80s to lower 90s with mid-70s to the north of the front.
Dewpoints to the south of the front on the SD side are in the
60s, and around 50F in NE WY. KUNR 20Z special sounding shows
warming temperatures above 500mb when compared to the 12Z
sounding, along with an inversion remaining around 825mb.
Relatively thick cloud cover through much of the day has acted to
limit heating and instability. While a few thunderstorms have
managed to develop over parts of NE WY and the Black Hills, it
appears that more widespread convection will not develop until the
main wave, currently speeding northward across southern Wyoming,
reaches the forecast area around 00z. Main severe threat over
northeastern Wyoming appears to be damaging winds with some large
hail possible. On the South Dakota side 0-3km bulk shear will
reach 40-50kts with the highest values currently in a narrow band
south of the warm front to the southeast of the Black Hills. With
the higher dewpoints and lower LCLs some QLCS tornadoes may occur
with any bowing segments, especially along and near the warm
front, however strong straight line winds are the most likely
severe threat over western SD as well. The convection will move
rapidly off to the northeast and out of most of the forecast area
by 05Z. Very windy conditions will develop over parts of
northeastern Wyoming this evening. Gusts around 55 mph are
possible between around 9PM and midnight.

On Sunday, the upper trough will remain to the west, while the
moist/unstable sector will have largely pushed of the the east of
our area. However, a strong upper jet streak approaching the
region combined with low-level cyclogenesis will facilitate some
moist advection back into cntrl/nwrn SD. SB/MLCAPE will be
somewhat limited outside of cntrl SD, with around 500-1000J/KG
from the Black Hills to the east and 1000-2000J/KG closer to
cntrl SD. Deep-layer shear will be stronger closer to the jet
across wrn SD (50-60 kt) and weaker to the east (30-40 kt over
scntrl SD). Taken together, could again see some supercells across
wrn/cntrl SD capable of large hail and strong to severe winds.

By Monday, any threat for strong to severe storms will have largely
moved east of our area, aside from maybe s cntrl SD, as cooler low-
level temps arrive behind a sfc front. Good agreement in guidance
that the mid-upper trof will rapidly shift ewd Monday and Tuesday,
ushering in a generally cooler and somewhat drier pattern for much
of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Sunday Evening)
Issued At 513 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

Strong line of TSRA will move through NE WY and the Black Hills region
of W SD between 00z and 0230Z. Wind gusts up to 65kts are possible
with the passage of these storms...with local IFR conds possible
with isold large hail also possible. Aft 03z TSRA will exit all
terminal locations. Gusty SW winds will exist behind the exiting
storms in NE WY through the overnight hours. Except for vcnty of
TSRA...VFR conds are expected.

&&

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

DISCUSSION...10
AVIATION...Hintz
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 6, 4:27 AM MST, 12 hours 7 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
527 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

SDZ001-002-012>014-025-032-072-073-WYZ071-071300-
Harding-Perkins-Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach-
Northern Foot Hills-Haakon-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-
Southern Meade Co Plains-Northeastern Crook-
527 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon
and evening. 70 to 80 MPH or greater wind gusts, golfball size
hail or larger, and isolated tornadoes are possible along with
locally heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms Sunday afternoon
and early evening. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main
threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

&&

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

WYZ054>058-071300-
Northern Campbell-Southern Campbell-Western Crook-
Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-
527 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and
early evening. The main risks will be large hail and damaging wind
gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Isolated strong to briefly severe thunderstorms are possible
Sunday afternoon and early evening.

.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

SDZ024-026>031-041>044-046-047-049-074-071300-
Northern Black Hills-Rapid City-Southern Foot Hills-
Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-Custer Co Plains-
Pennington Co Plains-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-Jackson-Bennett-
Mellette-Todd-Tripp-Hermosa Foot Hills-
527 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 /627 AM CDT Sat Jun 6 2020/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon
and evening. 70 to 80 MPH or greater wind gusts, golfball size
hail or larger, and isolated tornadoes are possible along with
locally heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Thunderstorms may occur Sunday afternoon and early evening.
Isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms may occur with
large hail and damaging winds the main threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

&&

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, Jun 6, 4:16 PM MST, 18 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 6, 4:19 PM MST, 15 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 6, 4:20 PM MST, 14 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 6, 4:21 PM MST, 13 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 23:33 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

39 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fall River

When
June 6, 4:34 PM MST
Where
Fall River County, 9.55 mi W of Edgemont
Measured
67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.300, -104.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
June 6, 4:44 PM MST
Where
Custer County, 7.99 mi W of Jewel Cave Natl Mon
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.730, -103.990

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
June 6, 4:49 PM MST
Where
Custer County, 9.49 mi W of Jewel Cave Natl Mon
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.730, -104.020

Four inch diameter tree branches were broken off trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:00 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 6.15 mi WNW of Cheyenne Crossing
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
44.328, -103.988

A woman was seriously injured from a tree falling on a camper at the Timon Campground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
June 6, 5:02 PM MST
Where
Custer County, (Cut)custer Co Arpt
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
43.730, -103.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:08 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 6 mi W of Rochford
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.120, -103.841

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:10 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 6.57 mi SE of Cheyenne Crossing
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.230, -103.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Fall River

When
June 6, 5:15 PM MST
Where
Fall River County, 0.5 mi W of Hot Springs Municipal Airport
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.370, -103.390

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:15 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 1 mi E of Lead
Measured
58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.350, -103.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:15 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, Spearfish
Measured
64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.490, -103.860

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:19 PM MST to 5:22 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 4.15 mi N of Silver City
Measured
57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.140, -103.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
June 6, 5:24 PM MST to 5:36 PM MST
Where
Custer County, 3 mi WSW of Fairburn
Measured
62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.673, -103.266

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:24 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, Hill City
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.930, -103.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:25 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 3 mi SE of Spearfish
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by
RAWS
Coordinates
44.459, -103.817

Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:30 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 4 mi S of Rapid City
Measured
58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
44.022, -103.230

Thunderstorm Wind, Butte

When
June 6, 5:34 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 9.64 mi WNW of Belle Fourche Airport
Measured
82 kt (94 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.800, -104.030

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
June 6, 5:35 PM MST to 5:55 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 4 mi E of Spearfish
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.490, -103.779

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:36 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 4 mi SSW of Rapid City
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
44.026, -103.261

Wind gusts were estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fall River

When
June 6, 5:39 PM MST
Where
Fall River County, 11.61 mi E of Oelrichs
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.190, -103.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
June 6, 5:39 PM MST
Where
Meade County, (Rca)ellsworth Afb
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
44.150, -103.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Butte

When
June 6, 5:40 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 1 mi NNW of Nisland
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.683, -103.558

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 5:43 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 2 mi NE of Rapid City
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
44.100, -103.201

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butte

When
June 6, 5:44 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 11.77 mi WSW of Castle Rock
Measured
62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.920, -103.660

Thunderstorm Wind, Butte

When
June 6, 5:55 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 3 mi SE of Newell
Measured
71 kt (82 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Storm Chaser
Coordinates
44.679, -103.377

Thunderstorm Wind, Butte

When
June 6, 5:56 PM MST
Where
Butte County, 26.21 mi WNW of Castle Rock
Measured
57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
45.140, -103.910

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When
June 6, 6:00 PM MST
Where
Pennington County, 4.92 mi WNW of New Underwood
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.120, -102.930

Thunderstorm Wind, Harding

When
June 6, 6:19 PM MST to 6:28 PM MST
Where
Harding County, 7.6 mi N of Redig
Measured
67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
45.380, -103.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
June 6, 6:19 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 3 mi W of Union Center
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.560, -102.731

Thunderstorm Wind, Harding

When
June 6, 6:33 PM MST
Where
Harding County, (2wx)buffalo
Measured
68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
45.600, -103.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Harding

When
June 6, 6:35 PM MST
Where
Harding County, 1 mi N of Camp Crook
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
45.565, -103.980

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
June 6, 6:56 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 2 mi ENE of White Owl
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
44.611, -102.392

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perkins

When
June 6, 7:08 PM MST
Where
Perkins County, 11.07 mi ESE of Zeona
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
45.160, -102.710

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
June 6, 7:15 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 3 mi W of Faith
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Storm Chaser
Coordinates
45.030, -102.091

Thunderstorm Wind, Ziebach

When
June 6, 7:20 PM MST
Where
Ziebach County, 5.22 mi WSW of Bridger
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
44.510, -101.990

The spotter estimated wind gusts at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
June 6, 7:25 PM MST
Where
Meade County, (D07)faith Arpt
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
45.030, -102.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Ziebach

When
June 6, 7:30 PM MST
Where
Ziebach County, 2 mi SW of Bridger
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.529, -101.929

Thunderstorm Wind, Perkins

When
June 6, 7:34 PM MST
Where
Perkins County, 3 mi W of Lemmon
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
45.940, -102.222

Thunderstorm Wind, Perkins

When
June 6, 7:45 PM MST
Where
Perkins County, 1.38 mi S of Shadehill
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
45.750, -102.180

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ziebach

When
June 6, 7:50 PM MST
Where
Ziebach County, 13.97 mi SSE of Dupree
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
44.870, -101.470

The observer estimated wind gusts at 70 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 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in South Dakota, June 2020

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: 893535, 893533, 893534, 893574, 893536, 893550, 893541, 893544, 893562, 893563, 893556, 893538, 893554, 893577, 893555, 893560, 893564, 893557, 893549, 893561, 893566, 893578, 893567, 893568, 893569, 893580, 893565, 893576, 893583, 893584, 893587, 893594, 893591, 893585, 893593, 893596, 893595, 893601, 893599.