Hail in South Dakota, August 30, 2021

Name: Hail in South Dakota, August 30, 2021
Start: 2021-08-30T19:50
End: 2021-08-30T19:50
Location: South Dakota

August 30, 2021 · NWS UNR · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A thunderstorm briefly became severe over northern Ziebach County, producing quarter sized hail east of Red Elm.

Where it happened

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

Tornadoes
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Wind
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Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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 over northern Ziebach County, producing quarter sized hail east of Red Elm.

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 30, 4:19 PM MST, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 30, 4:19 PM MST, 3 hours 31 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
519 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Monday)
Issued at 227 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

Vis/IR imagery this aftn shows deepening cu across the Black Hills,
with some glaciated updrafts apparent based on the day cloud phase
RGB. These updrafts do appear to be struggling in recent minutes,
potentially as a result of a deep layer of dry air atop a shallow
but moist BL sampled by 18z KUNR RAOB. With continued convergence
owing to upslope flow along the ern periphery of the hills coupled
with the arrival of a subtle midlevel wave passing east of the
Bighorns per WV, think sustained convection will become increasingly
likely by mid-aftn. A second cu field extends from swrn ND/nwrn SD
thru s cntrl SD along an axis of enhanced satellite-derived 850-700
mb PWATs and sfc dew points of 60-65 F.

Given a broad unstable sector across wrn/cntrl SD characterized by
MLCAPE of 1.5-3 kJ/kg, effective bulk shear of 35-40 kt (locally
enhanced near the Black Hills), midlevel lapse rates of 7-8 K/km,
and DCAPE in excess of 1000 J/kg, any sustained updraft will have
the potential of developing supercell characteristics. Fairly
straight-line hodographs will support splitting supercells, as well,
with primarily a large hail threat in left movers and large hail,
damaging wind, and potentially locally heavy rain threats in the
slow-moving right movers. As aformentioned wave approaches, could
see coverage of convection expand, particularly from nwrn to s cntrl
SD. Further upscale growth is likely across cntrl/s cntrl SD this
evening as LLJ strengthens and MUCAPE increases. Cannot rule out a
tornado threat as low-level shear/hodograph curvature increases this
evening. Would not be a surprise if elevated severe storms capable
of large hail persisted into the night given strong WAA/LLJ forcing
and favorable thermodynamic/kinematic profiles. With above normal
PWATs, if we do see upscale growth in the vicinity of the LLJ
tonight, will have to monitor potential for training/locally heavy
rainfall, mainly over s cntrl SD.

Shortwave ridging builds across the High Plains tomorrow, leading to
generally very warm/hot and dry conditions. A dryline will mix
eastward thru nern WY by late AM/early PM, bringing the potential
for critical fire weather conditions (more below in the Fire Wx
section). Broader mid-upper trof and attendant front approach the
area Tuesday night/Wednesday and slowly cross the region thru the
remainder of the week, bringing slightly cooler and more unsettled
conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Tuesday Evening)
Issued At 513 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

Isolated/scattered strong/severe TSRA with local IFR conditions will
continue this evening over parts of western SD. Storms will shift
into south central SD overnight with local IFR conditions. Areas
MVFR CIGS may develop late tonight and persist into Tuesday
morning east of a line from K2WX-KPHP-KICR. Outside of storms, VFR
conditions expected through the period. Gusty southerly winds
will develop over northeast WY overnight and spread into western
SD Tuesday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 227 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

Hot and dry conditions are anticipated across northeastern WY
tomorrow behind a dryline. Relative humidity values will fall into
the single digits as temperatures climb into the low to mid 90s.
Confidence in the strength of winds behind the dryline remains
relatively low; thus, have maintained the Fire Weather Watch at
this time.

As noted in the prior discussion, depending on the eastward
advancement of the dryline tomorrow and the strength of winds in
its wake, critical fire weather conditions may be possible as far
east as southwestern SD. However, confidence is higher in the
potential across northeastern WY for now.

Slightly cooler and less dry conditions are expected for the rest
of the week, with multiple chances for precipitation.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening
     for WYZ314>317.

&&

DISCUSSION...Sherburn
AVIATION...Helgeson
FIRE WEATHER...Sherburn

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 30, 4:31 AM MST, 15 hours 19 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
531 AM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

WYZ054>058-071-311145-
Northern Campbell-Southern Campbell-Western Crook-
Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-Northeastern Crook-
531 AM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

A few thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, with a strong
storm or two possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Non-severe thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday.

.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>044-046-047-049-072>074-311145-
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-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-
Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-Southern Meade Co Plains-
Hermosa Foot Hills-
531 AM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021 /631 AM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms late this afternoon
and evening, with large hail and damaging winds being the main
threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms on Wednesday.

.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

Local storm report, Aug 30, 5:58 PM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
658 PM MDT MON AUG 30 2021

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

0635 PM     HAIL             6 SW WHITE BUTTE        45.88N 102.44W
08/30/2021  M1.00 INCH       PERKINS            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

DYE

Local storm report, Aug 30, 6:21 PM MST, 1 hour 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
721 PM MDT MON AUG 30 2021

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

0635 PM     HAIL             6 SW WHITE BUTTE        45.88N 102.44W
08/30/2021  M1.75 INCH       PERKINS            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

CORRECTED EVENT

DYE

Local storm report, Aug 30, 6:38 PM MST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
738 PM MDT MON AUG 30 2021

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

0655 PM     HAIL             1 N FAITH               45.03N 102.03W
08/30/2021  E2.00 INCH       MEADE              SD   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

&&

WFO UNR

Local storm report, Aug 30, 7:19 PM MST, 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
819 PM MDT MON AUG 30 2021

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

0800 PM     HAIL             1 WNW RED SCAFFOLD      44.77N 101.86W
08/30/2021  M1.75 INCH       ZIEBACH            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

DYE

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 7:19 PM MST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
819 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ002-310300-
Perkins SD-
819 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Perkins
County through 900 PM MDT...

At 819 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles southwest of Chance, or 28 miles northwest of Faith, moving
southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Usta and Arrow Head Buttes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
northwestern and west central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4514 10200 4505 10201 4504 10221 4504 10248
      4548 10265 4549 10231
TIME...MOT...LOC 0219Z 331DEG 30KT 4535 10238

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Sherburn

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 7:33 PM MST, 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
833 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ014-310315-
Ziebach SD-
833 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Ziebach
County through 915 PM MDT...

At 833 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles northeast of Red Elm, or 8 miles northwest of Dupree, moving
south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Red Elm around 845 PM MDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Dupree.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 900 PM MDT for
west central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4516 10187 4520 10169 4493 10150 4492 10186
TIME...MOT...LOC 0233Z 338DEG 14KT 4512 10175

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Sherburn

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Ziebach

When: August 30, 7:50 PM MST
Where: Ziebach County, 3 mi ENE of Red Elm
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.077, -101.733

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 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in South Dakota, August 2021

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: 977169.