Damaging Winds in South Dakota, August 30 to 31, 2021

Name: Damaging Winds in South Dakota, August 30 to 31, 2021
Start: 2021-08-30T22:25
End: 2021-08-31T01:15
Location: South Dakota

August 30 to 31, 2021 · NWS UNR · 6 events in 5 counties and zones

A line of severe thunderstorms developed over south central South Dakota during the late evening, producing wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph across portions of 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: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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 line of severe thunderstorms developed over south central South Dakota during the late evening, producing wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph across portions of the area.

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, 10:01 PM MST, 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 30, 10:01 PM MST, 24 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1101 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 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Tuesday Night)
Issued At 1030 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

Thunderstorms will move out of south central SD and diminish by
09Z or so. Several models are showing low stratus spreading over
much of the western SD plains, lasting into mid to late morning.
Conditions will be favorable for the development of fog around the
southern Black Hills, also diminishing mid morning. MVFR/IFR
conditions in low stratus/fog will improve to VFR by midday, when
skies will clear.

&&

.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...Pojorlie
FIRE WEATHER...Sherburn

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 30, 4:31 AM MST, 17 hours 54 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, 8:01 PM MST, 2 hours 24 minutes before

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

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

0850 PM     HAIL             3 ENE RED ELM           45.07N 101.72W
08/30/2021  E1.00 INCH       ZIEBACH            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MARBLE WITH A FEW QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

&&

DYE

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 8:35 PM MST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1035 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ046-047-049-310415-
Tripp SD-Todd SD-Mellette SD-
1035 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Todd,
west central Tripp and southeastern Mellette Counties through 1115 PM
CDT...

At 1034 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hidden Timber, or 12 miles southeast of Mission, moving northeast at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Okreek, Hidden Timber and northeastern Rosebud Reservation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
south central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4309 10044 4322 10061 4346 10035 4326 10009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0334Z 226DEG 19KT 4321 10045

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Helgeson

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 9:02 PM MST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1102 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ046-047-049-310500-
Tripp SD-Todd SD-Mellette SD-
1102 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Todd,
west central Tripp and southeastern Mellette Counties through
MIDNIGHT CDT...

At 1102 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Okreek, or 13 miles east of Mission, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Okreek around 1110 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Carter and Mosher.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
south central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4321 10036 4331 10060 4361 10045 4340 9988
TIME...MOT...LOC 0402Z 209DEG 15KT 4332 10040

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Helgeson

Local storm report, Aug 30, 9:31 PM MST, 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
1031 PM MDT MON AUG 30 2021

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

0849 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WSW RED ELM           45.05N 101.80W
08/30/2021  M50 MPH          ZIEBACH            SD   MESONET

0949 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE MUD BUTTE         45.01N 102.86W
08/30/2021  M51 MPH          MEADE              SD   MESONET

&&

WFO UNR

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 9:53 PM MST, 32 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1153 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ046-047-049-310600-
Tripp SD-Todd SD-Mellette SD-
1153 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Todd,
southwestern Tripp and southeastern Mellette Counties through 100 AM
CDT...

At 1153 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles northeast of Hidden Timber, or 14 miles east of Mission, moving
east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Mission, Okreek, Carter, Antelope, Hidden Timber, Haystack Butte and
northeastern Rosebud Reservation.

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 500 AM CDT for
south central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4327 10070 4348 10057 4342 9996 4313 10011
TIME...MOT...LOC 0453Z 279DEG 12KT 4329 10037

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Helgeson

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 10:06 PM MST, 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
1106 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

SDZ032-043-046-310600-
Jackson SD-Haakon SD-Mellette SD-
1106 PM MDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Haakon,
northwestern Mellette and northeastern Jackson Counties through
MIDNIGHT MDT/100 AM CDT/...

At 1106 PM MDT/1206 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 5 miles southwest of Nowlin, or 12 miles northeast of
Kadoka, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch 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...
Kadoka, Norris, Midland, Belvidere, Cedar Butte, Black Pipe, Corn
Creek, Nowlin and Intersection of Highway 73 and White River.

This includes Interstate 90 in South Dakota between Mile Markers 145
and 174.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM MDT/500 AM
CDT/ for south central, southwestern and west central South Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4392 10174 4422 10118 4417 10116 4416 10106
      4414 10104 4386 10106 4384 10102 4385 10099
      4381 10096 4383 10093 4379 10089 4375 10079
      4344 10120
TIME...MOT...LOC 0506Z 314DEG 28KT 4399 10137

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Helgeson

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Haakon

When: August 30, 10:25 PM MST
Where: Haakon County, 1 mi NE of Midland
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.080, -101.136

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: August 30, 10:40 PM MST to 10:45 PM MST
Where: Jackson County, 9.75 mi ENE of Belvidere
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.900, -101.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: August 30, 11:35 PM MST to 11:50 PM MST
Where: Jackson County, 9.75 mi ENE of Belvidere
Measured: 73 kt (84 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.900, -101.100

Wind gusts of 60 to over 80 mph occurred for about 15 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mellette

When: August 31, 12:40 AM CST to 1:00 AM CST
Where: Mellette County, 11 mi N of Mosher
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.629, -100.300

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: August 31, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Todd County, 14.82 mi SSE of Mission
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.100, -100.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Tripp

When: August 31, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Tripp County, 4 mi NNW of Keyapaha
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.154, -100.160

Power was out for about three hours.

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

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: 977170, 977171, 977184, 977181, 977195, 977187.