South Dakota, 2022

Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, August 26, 2022

August 26, 2022 · NWS UNR · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

A severe thunderstorm tracked east from Wyoming across the northern Black Hills area and Meade County. The storm produced hail and wind gusts as high as 80 mph.

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
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 severe thunderstorm tracked east from Wyoming across the northern Black Hills area and Meade County. The storm produced hail and wind gusts as high as 80 mph.

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 26, 4:19 PM MST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 26, 4:19 PM MST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
519 PM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Friday)
Issued at 133 PM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

Satellite imagery this aftn shows several features of interest.
First, to our east across ern ND/SD, a remnant MCV with a lingering
broad area of stratiform precip and some embedded convection
persists after bringing multiple inches of rainfall to wrn/cntrl SD
last night into this morning. Second, a robust vort max is moving
ewd near the MT/AB border, supporting the development of convection
in recent hours to its east and south. Closer to home, a cu/stratocu
field associated with residual enhanced low-level moisture is
gradually eroding from SW to NE across wrn SD, while a diurnal cu
field over the Black Hills is showing signs of deepening.
Differential heating and mixing, partially a result of the
cu/stratocu field, has led to a rather strong temperature gradient
across the area, with mid-upper 60s in our far east and mid 80s over
nern WY. Predominant low-level wind direction is southerly, with
largely southwest winds west of the Black Hills and southeast winds
to their east. However, flow perturbations near terrain are notable,
with localized backing and convergence along the nrn/nern periphery
of the Black Hills. These perturbations have led to a relatively
warm and moist corridor in the vicinity of I-90 from Beulah to Rapid
City, consistent with a localized pocket of MLCAPE > 1500 J/kg per
the latest RAP.

Given the locally favorable thermodynamic environment over the
nrn/nern Black Hills and foothills and the ongoing deepening of cu
owing to local convergence, would not be surprised to see one or two
storms develop over terrain thru mid-aftn. Along with aforementioned
MLCAPE of > 1500 J/kg, latest SPC SFCOA suggests effective bulk
shear magnitudes of 30-35 kt, which could be underestimated based on
localized backing. If updrafts can mature, a supercell mode would be
most likely thru mid-to-late aftn in this environment. Storms would
likely gradually move S/SE along the Black Hills convergence zone
and within the corridor of the most favorable thermodynamic
environment. This could result in primarily a large hail threat in
the nrn/cntrl hills and adjacent foothills. If any convection
manages to move off of the hills, it will encounter a progressively
less favorable thermodynamic environment owing to less opportunity
for diurnal heating and destabilization as a result of morning/early
aftn cloud cover, leading to gradual weakening and eventual demise
later this aftn.

As the vort max over MT approaches our region late this aftn into
the evening, convection will become increasingly likely from west to
east. Deeper, drier boundary layers to the west and stronger large-
scale forcing will promote upscale growth and storm interactions,
resulting in a transition from primarily a hail threat to primarily
a straight-line wind threat, with HREF max wind gusts across nern WY
quite high as we head into the evening. Despite above normal PWATs,
progressive storm motions driven by cold pool propagation should
limit flash flooding concerns compared to last night. Nonetheless,
brief locally heavy rainfall will still be possible.

In the wake of the disturbance crossing the region tonight,
shortwave ridging will build into the northern High Plains tomorrow.
This ridging should limit convective activity compared to recent
days, though continued above near to slightly above normal PWATs may
support a few diurnal showers/storms. Short-lived ridging gives way
to an approaching compact but robust vort max late tomorrow into
early Sunday. This disturbance will be accompanied by PWATs back in
the 125 to 150 percent of normal range, particularly across our nrn
half, closer to stronger Q-vector convergence in association with
the wave. Though nocturnal timing may limit overall convective
intensity/coverage, still expect some activity across at least nwrn
SD given forcing and PWATs.

Beyond Sunday, zonal flow aloft transitions to northwest flow aloft
as longwave ridging again builds over the wrn CONUS. This will
support drier conditions and gradually warming temperatures thru at
least the middle of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Saturday Evening)
Issued At 517 PM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

Showers and thunderstorms have developed across northeastern
Wyoming this evening. These will spread eastward through the Black
Hills into western South Dakota through the evening hours. MVFR
to localized IFR conditions are likely with stronger storms, in
addition to gusty, erratic winds. Precipitation will continue to
push eastward and diminish after 06z. At this time, it does not
look widespread stratus/fog will develop again tonight.

&&

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

DISCUSSION...Sherburn
AVIATION...Eagan
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 26, 3:30 AM MST, 14 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
430 AM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

SDZ001-002-012>014-024>026-028>032-072>074-WYZ054-056>058-071-
271300-
Harding-Perkins-Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach-
Northern Black Hills-Northern Foot Hills-Rapid City-
Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-Custer Co Plains-
Pennington Co Plains-Haakon-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-
Southern Meade Co Plains-Hermosa Foot Hills-Northern Campbell-
Western Crook-Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-Northeastern Crook-
430 AM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe thunderstorms
today, meaning that isolated severe storms are possible. Primary
hazards include wind gusts around 60 mph, hail of quarter sized
or larger, and brief heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed today.

&&

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

SDZ027-041>044-046-047-049-WYZ055-271300-
Southern Foot Hills-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-Jackson-Bennett-
Mellette-Todd-Tripp-Southern Campbell-
430 AM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022 /530 AM CDT Fri Aug 26 2022/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon and tonight.
However, severe storms are not expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

No hazardous weather is expected 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, Aug 26, 3:28 PM MST, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
428 PM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

WYZ054-262315-
Northern Campbell WY-
428 PM MDT Fri Aug 26 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Campbell
County through 515 PM MDT...

At 428 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 17 miles southwest of Biddle to 5 miles south
of Recluse to 5 miles southwest of Echeta. Movement was east at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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...
Echeta, Weston, Recluse and Gillette Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4500 10565 4500 10513 4457 10521 4431 10551
      4437 10602 4440 10602
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 283DEG 16KT 4494 10563 4466 10567 4439 10593

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Sherburn
Local storm report, Aug 26, 3:44 PM MST, 2 hours 1 minute before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RAPID CITY SD
444 PM MDT FRI AUG 26 2022

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

0440 PM     HAIL             15 NNW ALVA             44.90N 104.56W
08/26/2022  M1.00 INCH       CROOK              WY   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

WFO UNR
Local storm report, Aug 26, 4:14 PM MST, 1 hour 31 minutes before
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The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:42 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
August 26, 5:45 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 2 mi SSW of Spearfish
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
44.463, -103.876

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
August 26, 5:46 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 2 mi WNW of Spearfish
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
44.501, -103.897

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
August 26, 6:04 PM MST
Where
Lawrence County, 2 mi SSW of St Onge
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
44.523, -103.736

Hail, Butte

When
August 26, 6:20 PM MST
Where
Butte County, Vale
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
44.620, -103.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
August 26, 7:05 PM MST to 7:10 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 3 mi W of Union Center
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.560, -102.731

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
August 26, 7:07 PM MST
Where
Meade County, 6 mi NNW of Hereford
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
44.470, -102.916

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 to 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.
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

More

Every storm in South Dakota in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in South Dakota, August 2022

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: 1045757, 1045755, 1045758, 1045759, 1045763, 1045764.