A volatile environment featured a warm front from parts of east central South Dakota into western Minnesota, with a dryline extending to the southwest into Nebraska. With a very strong wave moving northeast through Nebraska into a highly unstable and highly sheared environment, scattered storms initiated and quickly grew upscale to a broad linear structure with damaging winds.
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 FSD wrote it up.
A volatile environment featured a warm front from parts of east central South Dakota into western Minnesota, with a dryline extending to the southwest into Nebraska. With a very strong wave moving northeast through Nebraska into a highly unstable and highly sheared environment, scattered storms initiated and quickly grew upscale to a broad linear structure with damaging winds. With crop development well behind schedule and many fields yet to be planted, there was ample dirt available to be lofted into the leading edge of the storms, which took on the characteristics of a haboob reducing visibility to near zero at the onset of high winds.
A broad swath of winds from 70 to 100 mph devastated much of southeast South Dakota, and portions of southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa, causing extensive tree and structural damage and scores of injuries. The highest observed wind gust was 107 mph near Tripp, SD. In addition, vehicles and high profile vehicles were blown off several roads, shutting down traffic on Interstates 29 and 90. Two (direct) fatalities occurred in vehicles impacted by debris as the storms moved into the Sioux Falls area. Power was disrupted in a widespread area, with estimates of over 45,000 customers impacted at one time. Many schools were closed due to damage and power issues. The South Dakota Governor requested and was granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damage to public infrastructure at an estimated cost of 6.7 million dollars across 20 counties and two reservations. Private losses were a much higher toll, and just one of the impacted counties (McCook) estimated at least 150 to 175 million dollars in damage. Presidential Disaster Declarations were also granted in Dixon County, Nebraska and Lincoln County, Minnesota.
Following the afternoon line of storms, a secondary band of storms developed near the core of the upper level jet across eastern Nebraska in the early evening hours. These storms also quickly become severe, with a mix of large hail, damaging wind, and even an isolated tornado near Sioux City. This cluster of storms moved through far southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota during the evening.
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 Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 12, 1:20 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 220 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022 .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Friday) Issued at 219 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022 Dealing with another interesting and challenging severe weather threat for this afternoon and evening. A strong upper level wave in Wyoming was spreading cooler and drier air aloft into central NE this afternoon with elevated convection develop in central NE which was lifting fairly quickly northward. Still some question on supercell vs. linear development and the last few runs of the HRRR are leaning a little more towards a supercell/multicell set up vs the earlier expectation of a strong bowing segment. Still not completely buying into this but there will be a little concern if the ACCAS/showers and thunderstorms moving north move through just before peak heating which might limit the ability to get surface based storms going and generate a more organized jet and cold pool. Current WoFS output still suggesting that the storms that move into areas near and west of the James Valley through 23z will have a good chance at producing 50 knot or higher wind gusts. With the 0-3km bulk shear vector running about 35-40 knots from 210 degrees will need to watch any linear segment that move northeast for possible QLCS spinups. The other thought is that with the wave and front a touch slower than it appeared yesterday is that this initial more cellular activity will wrap north fairly quickly mid to late afternoon then after about 0-3z this evening a more linear system will try to develop in north central and eastern NE and lift northeast as the cooler and drier air aloft punch east with the upper wave, bringing a bit higher threat for the strongest winds to areas near and east of Interstate 29. Deep west to southwest flow will develop tonight into Friday and bring much drier air to the region and drop temperatures about 15 to 20 degrees. Expecting highs mostly in the lower to mid 70s on Friday with wind gusts about 20 to 30 mph, likely closer to 40 mph north of Interstate 90. .LONG TERM...(Friday Night through Thursday) Issued at 219 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022 Saturday through Monday low pressure will rotate across central Canada which will keep a dry westerly flow across the Northern Plains. This will bring mostly dry conditions with seasonally mild temperatures as well as seasonally breezy conditions. Morning lows likely to be from the lower 40s to lower 50s with afternoon highs from about 65 to 75. Troughiness over the western United States Tuesday into Thursday will spread into the Northern Rockies by Thursday and bring a series of waves into the Northern and Central Plains. Too far out to determine timing and strength of any storms but for now does not look like a great set up for heavier rain or severe weather. Overall temperatures will remain seasonally mild. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning) Issued at 646 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 Isolated convection may linger near/north of Hwy 14 early in the period, but otherwise expecting VFR conditions with increasing southerly winds through mid afternoon. After 21Z-22Z, expecting rapid development of thunderstorms into southeast SD, developing into a line which moves quickly east into northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota this evening. Large hail and strong/damaging winds will be possible with any thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening, along with at least brief MVFR-IFR conditions. Storm timing is somewhat uncertain, but tried to narrow down a 2-4 hour window of best chances in the TAFs. After storms move through, a return to VFR conditions is expected. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...NONE. MN...NONE. IA...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...08 LONG TERM...08 AVIATION...JH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 505 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 SDZ038-050-052-053-057>060-063>065-068-069-131015- Beadle-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson- Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Bon Homme-Yankton- 505 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon. Large hail up to 2 inches in diameter, wind gusts to 60 mph and an isolated tornado are possible. As the storms move east in the early evening, the greater threat will transition to damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, while hail up to ping pong ball size and perhaps a tornado are still possible. The strongest storms should move east of the James River Valley by 8 pm this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely between 4 pm and 8 pm. IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ039-040-054>056-061-062-066-067-070-071-131015- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody- McCook-Minnehaha-Turner-Union- 505 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, east central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop west of I-29 in the late afternoon. Storms should evolve into a squall line which will move quickly east toward I-29, and into northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota in the early evening. Damaging wind gusts to 75 mph will be the primary threat, while hail up to ping pong ball size and perhaps a tornado are also possible. The strongest storms should move east of out of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa by 11pm or midnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely between 5 pm and 11 pm.
The North Platte radar (KLNX), 183 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:30 UTC.
112 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous three-inch branches.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph was measured by mesonet site FW5858 9 miles southwest of Platte.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD601 3 miles south of Corsica. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
An attached garage was ripped from a single-family home and destroyed.
Two foot diameter limbs were broken off numerous trees by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated between 90 and 100 mph with considerable tree and structure damage around Tyndall. A county maintenance shed was destroyed.
Extensive damage was done to numerous buildings in Dante. An 80 foot by 200 foot building and 42 foot by 60 foot building each had only one remaining wall standing. Numerous trees were uprooted, and several roofs were ripped off businesses.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site WTES2 1 mile east-northeast of White Lake.
Thunderstorm wind gusts flipped 12 vehicles on Interstate 90 between White Lake and Plankinton.
A large grain bin was severely damaged. Multiple nearby farm outbuildings were also damaged. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Very large trees were uprooted all around Plankinton.
Approximately one-half mile of power poles were snapped, with many laying across Old Highway 16 west of Plankinton. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Numerous powerlines were downed by falling trees throughout Plankinton.
A building at the fertilizer plant in Lesterville was damaged.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous 3 to 4 inch diameter tree limbs.
Thunderstorm winds blew outdoor furniture all over. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The grain elevator in Utica was severely damaged.
Multiple single-family homes in Lesterville lost shingles. Large tree branches were also downed.
A large trailer was flipped and wedged against a barn.
Massive damage was done to a chicken barn by thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 71 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KYKN 2 miles northeast of Yankton. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A personal weather station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 88 mph.
A wall was blown out of a farm outbuilding.
A farm outbuilding door and wall were blown out.
Multiple roof panels blew off a large poultry barn near Tripp.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 107 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD570 2 miles northwest of Tripp. The town grain elevated was destroyed.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 89 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD532 2 miles west-southwest of Gayville. Extensive building damage was noted in Gayville.
Multiple pine trees were uprooted and a farm outbuilding was destroyed.
A roof was torn from a business and deposited on Highway 50 on the east side of town.
A farm outbuilding was destroyed.
A semi-truck was blown over between Meckling and Vermillion on State Highway 50.
Law enforcement in Tripp estimated winds to be around 60 mph.
Multiple 3 inch branches were broken off trees by thunderstorm winds.
Several shingles were removed from a house by thunderstorm winds.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 65 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site PSTS2 1 mile south-southwest of Parkston.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph was measured by mesonet site FW9779 4 miles south-southeast of Mitchell. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured by Automated Surface Observing System site KMHE at the Mitchell Municipal Airport.
Intense thunderstorm winds demolished half of a cattle shed with debris strewn across the property. A wooden shed had two sliding doors ripped off, with a large pine tree also uprooted. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 84 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD530 5 miles south of Freeman. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Thunderstorms winds downed several 3 inch diameter tree branches.
Significant tree damage occurred in and around Elk Point.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 82 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site BFMS2 5 miles south-southeast of Centerville. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Multiple semi-trucks were flipped on I-29 between Elk Point and Jefferson.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 75 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD603 1 mile west of Lane.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD550 3 miles southeast of Jefferson.
Thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees, which blocked many streets. | Power was out in most sections of town due to downed powerlines.
Several pieces of farm equipment were blown across the road, with significant damage to outbuildings. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A single family home lost sections of its roof.
Multiple grain bins were heavily damaged.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 81 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD502 4 miles east-northeast of Alexandria. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A 1480-foot TV broadcast tower built in 1976 was downed by thunderstorm winds.
A 40 by 60 foot outbuilding was destroyed by thunderstorm winds. The single family home next door lost some shingles and had a broken front window.
The roof overhang on an outdoor patio at a nursing home in Salem was ripped off and tossed across an open lot to the north. A single-family home downstream of the nursing home sustained significant damage to its attached garage. At least two other outbuildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Widespread tree damage was reported across town while other single family homes sustained damage to their roofs or garages.
Multiple single family homes sustained significant damage to attached garages.
An attached garage on a single family home was blown out and destroyed by thunderstorm winds.
Wind was measured by hand-held anemometer.
Numerous 3 to 6 inch limbs were downed by thunderstorm winds.
The windows were blown out and roof torn off of a truck stop.
Moderate tree damage was done by strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 77 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD547 3 miles southeast of Montrose.
Numerous pine trees were uprooted by thunderstorm winds. Power was knocked out across the southern portions of Huron.
A roof was torn off of a building by thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 72 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site SFWS2 3 miles southeast of Wall Lake.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 90 mph was measured by Automated Surface Observing System site KHON 2 miles north-northwest of Huron.
Numerous moderate branches up to 3 inches in diameter were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 78 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site SFSS2 3 miles south-southwest of Sioux Falls.
A tree was blown down onto a house. A large tree was also blown down on a car which resulted in the fatality of the driver.
Several 3 inch tree branches were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 63 mph was measured by Automated Surface Observing System site KFSD at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 71 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site BTCS2 3 miles southeast of Baltic.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 81 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site CTNS2 2 miles east-southeast of Colton. Wind-driven debris went through the windshield of a vehicle and caused the (direct) fatality to the passenger near Colton.
A single-family home lost its front porch overhang and a large portion of the roof.
Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 97 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KMDS 1 mile east-northeast of Madison. Extensive tree and building damage occurred throughout the city. Five families were displaced as damage to their houses from wind and falling trees rendered residences uninhabitable. Several 500 lb. tanks from an agricultural supply story were blown across a four lane highway into the water treatment plant. Three of the tanks ended up in a creek by the water treatment plant, with one severely damaging the cooperative observation equipment.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and damaged an outbuilding at the high school.
A single family home lost large sections of its roof. Another nearby residence had significant damage to its attached garage. Many nearby trees were either uprooted or had large broken branches.
Two rental storage facilities were destroyed.
Multiple mobile homes received roof damage.
The county Emergency Manager estimated wind gusts up to 70 mph.
A large farm outbuilding lost a significant portion of its roof, allowing the walls to collapse. Three nearby grain bins were also damaged.
A mobile home lost a large section of its roof.
A rental storage facility was destroyed.
Five large trees were knocked down and a roof blown off of a barn. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A farm outbuilding wall was blown out.
A personal weather station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 96 mph.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 66 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD515 3 miles east of Cavour.
Large and mature trees were bent over at least 30 degrees.
A personal weather station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 90 mph. Nearby Lake Herman State Park was closed due to extensive tree damage, with an unoccupied camper crushed by a falling tree.
A large grain bin at the Egan grain elevator was destroyed.
A recreational vehicle was flipped and destroyed near Lake Campbell.
A portion of roof decking was removed on the corner of an apartment building.
Seven to eight power poles were snapped. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Thunderstorm winds destroyed a barn, with debris strewn across U.S. Highway 14.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 73 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site VGAS2 1 mile south of Volga.
Two grain bins were blown off their foundations.
The walls of a local business collapsed after the large south-facing doors failed.
The tops of two grain silos were ripped off and crushed in. Portions of roofs were peeled off downtown, with multiple trees down throughout town.
A business in Arlington sustained significant roof damage. A nearby church also lost part of its roof.
The walls collapsed on a farm outbuilding and three pine trees were snapped. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 79 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KBKX 2 miles southwest of Brookings.
Numerous vehicles were blown over. Trees were snapped with widespread damage to houses and roofs throughout town, and most without power into the next day. The Brookings Marathon scheduled for a couple days later was cancelled.
Several rail cars were tipped over, with numerous trees uprooted, some onto homes. Fences throughout town were blown down. A semi-truck was rolled on Highway 14 just north of town.
A business lost large sections of its roof and its back wall was blown out.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 74 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site VGAS2 1 mile south of Volga.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 90 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site FLNS2 3 miles north-northeast of Flandreau.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 73 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site OAKS2 4 miles south-southeast of Astoria. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Numerous trees were snapped with powerlines down throughout Dakota Dunes.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 79 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD550 3 miles southeast of Jefferson.
Numerous powerlines and trees were downed through the city of Jefferson.
Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A wind gust of 60 mph was measured by a personal weather station west of Jefferson.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph was measured by South Dakota State University mesonet site BFMS2 3 miles south-southwest of Beresford.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 67 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD508 3 miles south-southwest of Beresford. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 76 mph was measured by South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD519 5 miles south-southwest of Worthing. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Minnehaha | 2022-05-12 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct | |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Minnehaha | 2022-05-12 | 61 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Dakota in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in South Dakota, May 2022
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: 1033758, 1033789, 1033793, 1058494, 1033760, 1033778, 1033770, 1033842, 1033777, 1058424, 1033775, 1033781, 1033783, 1058204, 1033762, 1033885, 1058196, 1058200, 1058511, 1033776, 1033803, 1033864, 1058201, 1058203, 1058209, 1033808, 1033810, 1058198, 1033805, 1058202, 1033763, 1033799, 1033761, 1033764, 1033812, 1033823, 1058919, 1033780, 1033818, 1033765, and more.