An amplified and vigorous upper level pattern pushed several weak disturbances northeast across the region during the overnight and early morning of May 30th. With ample elevated instability on the order of 2000-2500 J/kg available and effective shear of 35 to 45 knots, storms became severe across south central South Dakota and north central Nebraska and organized into a large scale QLCS as it…
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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.
An amplified and vigorous upper level pattern pushed several weak disturbances northeast across the region during the overnight and early morning of May 30th. With ample elevated instability on the order of 2000-2500 J/kg available and effective shear of 35 to 45 knots, storms became severe across south central South Dakota and north central Nebraska and organized into a large scale QLCS as it moved east and northeast into Minnesota and Iowa late night. Several QLCS tornadoes developed from the Sioux Falls area eastward. Widespread winds of 60 to 90 mph caused scattered tree damage, with isolated pockets of more significant structural damage. Presidential Disaster Declarations were granted to Lyon, Rock, and Nobles Counties in Minnesota for damages to public infrastructure.
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 29, 5:31 PM CST, 5 hours 17 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 631 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Monday) Issued at 220 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 The main concerns center around the severe weather threat over roughly the next 36 hours. The driving force behind this continued threat for severe weather is an upper level low pressure that is expected to deepen over the central and northern Rockies tonight, then drift into central SD and northeast ND through Monday night. This will aid in backing the low to mid level flow through Monday afternoon which will keep instability in place through this period. Thunderstorm development is still expected to occur later, likely 7- 9pm for the initial development. Capping is just too strong with the thick mid level deck of clouds. There will be a small window before we decouple after sunset when a few very strong updrafts could develop, likely near northeast NE into southeast SD. CAPE values around 2500 J/kg will be likely with a strong and balanced shear profile from about 900 mb to 200 mb. The lowest few hundred feet may see questionable shear but if a few supercells can develop they would likely be able to sort of create their own environment to some extent, thus leading to the potential for a couple of tornadoes. Along with this threat will come a chance for hail to around tennis ball size and wind gusts to 70 mph with a nice pool of dry air from 700 mb to 500 mb. After the initial development in the area between about 0-3z timing become very difficult with strong southwest flow aloft and frequent pieces of energy wrapping northward. It does look like after about 9z much of northwest IA, northeast NE and far southeast SD will see much more isolated activity as a stronger piece of energy wraps north. So for now leaning towards the highest severe potential from about 1z to 9z. Monday will be a very interesting and potentially dangerous severe weather day. In the morning stronger backed flow in the low levels will likely drive shower and thunderstorm development in central SD. While shear is not very impressive there will be plenty of elevated instability to support a few hailers near and west of the James River through the morning. Near and shortly after 18z the low continues to deepen and lift north which will swing the dry slot northeast and significantly increase shear. With such strong forcing we may not need to wait until late afternoon to break the cap and significant updrafts could begin to develop as early as 17-18z, depending mostly on the timing of the low lifting north. With the combination of CAPE values near 2000 J/kg and deep, strong shear updrafts should rotate pretty quickly and a few tornadoes will be possible. Not out of the question to see a stronger tornado with the higher threat of this near and east of Interstate 29. The next 36 hours will definitely be an important time to keep up to date on the weather. Outside of the severe threat far eastern SD, southwest MN and northwest IA may need a wind advisory with very strong winds in the lowest 1 to 1.5 km. Gusts may be around 45 mph at times. .LONG TERM...(Monday Night through Sunday) Issued at 220 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 Monday night should see the severe threat diminish pretty quickly with parts of northwest IA remaining in some more unstable air potentially through mid evening. Otherwise a strong and deep westerly flow will develop and usher in some cooler conditions. Lows likely in the 50s. Tuesday will see smaller chances for showers near highway 14 mainly in the morning. Otherwise breezy conditions with gusts around 25 mph through the day. Wednesday into next weekend still showing a cooler pattern with mostly below normal temperatures and only smaller chances for showers and thunderstorms. The warmest day looks to be Friday as deeper westerly flow develops. This may be the only day above normal through this period. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 631 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 Latest satellite imagery shows mid to upper level clouds drifting northeastward across the region ahead of an advancing wave. Heading into the evening and overnight period, expect chances for showers and storms to gradually increase. That being said, believe the best chances for seeing impact will occur sometime between 4 to 9z, with any thunderstorm capable of causing cigs and vsbys to briefly be reduced to MVFR levels. Will likely see a lull in activity near daybreak through mid- morning, with yet another round of showers and storms possible late tomorrow morning through afternoon. However, confidence in exact timing and location still remain rather low, as development will largely depend on the track of the upper level low tonight. So, have opted to only include mention in PROB30 group for the time being. Aside from this, look for SE/S winds to quickly increase after daybreak, with gusts between 35 to 45 mph possible along and east of I-29 through the evening. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...NONE. MN...NONE. IA...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...08 LONG TERM...08 AVIATION...SST
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 910 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-310215- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory- Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson- McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme- Yankton-Union- 910 PM CDT Sun May 29 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota, and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to impact the area during the overnight period. While exact location details are uncertain, it appears that storms will be capable of producing hail up to tennis ball size and wind gusts to 70 mph. In addition to this, can't rule out the possibility of seeing a few isolated tornadoes occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Yet another round of strong to severe storms remains likely for Monday afternoon and evening. Specific timing and location details are uncertain, though this activity is more likely to develop earlier in the day, with the threat diminishing by midnight Monday night. All modes of severe weather are possible, including a few tornadoes, very large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
738 PM CDT SUN MAY 29 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0421 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE LARCHWOOD 43.45N 96.43W
05/29/2022 LYON IA NWS EMPLOYEE
A COUPLE OF LARGE BRANCHES DOWN.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
740 PM CDT SUN MAY 29 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0424 AM TSTM WND DMG 3 SE LARCHWOOD 43.43N 96.40W
05/29/2022 LYON IA NWS EMPLOYEE
A COUPLE TREES SNAPPED AND LARGE BRANCHES
DOWN.
&&The North Platte radar (KLNX), 183 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:48 UTC.
30 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 2 high wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed a one-foot diameter tree limb, along with several other smaller limbs.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD603 1 mile west of Lane.
Considerable roof damage and numerous trees with broken or snapped limbs across town due to thunderstorm winds.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 65 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD570 1 mile northwest of Tripp.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted a large tree.
A thunderstorm wind gust to 63 mph was measured by a hand-held anemometer in Mitchell.
Thunderstorm wind gusts damaged shingles on several homes. At one farmstead, the TV antenna was destroyed and an ash tree was uprooted onto the house. Five healthy spruce trees were uprooted and several deciduous trees snapped at another farm, where the roof was also lost off a horse shelter. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD515 3 miles east of Cavour.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by the 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.
A thunderstorm wind gust to 78 mph was measured at mesonet site FW2665 5 miles south of Canova.
Several tree limbs were snapped by thunderstorm winds.
Thunderstorm wind gusts damaged several buildings in Howard, with numerous trees and powerlines down. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD547 3 miles southeast of Montrose. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Sustained winds within a wake low reached 40 to 50 mph, with a gust as high as 64 mph at the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD589 2 miles east of Dixon.
Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 68 mph was measured by the Automated Weather Observing System site KMDS 1 mile east-northeast of Madison.
Numerous tree limbs were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Numerous 3 inch tree limbs were broken off by thunderstorm winds.
Sustained winds within a wake low reached 35 to 50 mph, with a gust as high as 73 mph at the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD554 14 miles west of Platte. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph was measured by the South Dakota State University Mesonet site CTNS2 2 miles east-southeast of Colton.
Numerous 3 inch tree limbs were broken off by thunderstorm winds.
Numerous 3 inch tree limbs were broken off by thunderstorm winds.
A tornado spun up just north of the intersection of 41st Street and Western Avenue, where it uprooted a large tree. The tornado travelled generally eastward for around one-half mile before it dissipated one block south of the Augustana University athletic fields. Two garage structures collapsed along the track, with some roof damage to adjacent homes. Numerous trees were topped or uprooted, with one tree falling on an unoccupied car. The estimated maximum wind speed was 95 mph and the average path width was 50 yards.
Thunderstorm winds downed several 3 to 6 inch diameter limbs.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD520 3 miles west of Dell Rapids.
A barn was destroyed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 73 mph was measured by the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD504 4 miles south of Arlington.
Numerous 3 inch tree limbs were broken off by thunderstorm winds.
A large tree was uprooted with several other snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Thunderstorms winds blew the roof off a hog barn.
A large door was blown in, and the metal roof peeled off an outbuilding.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 69 mph was measured by the Automated Surface Observing System site KFSD 3 miles north-northwest of Sioux Falls.
The roof of the grandstand at a local speedway was severely damaged by thunderstorm winds.
Twelve mature pine trees were snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts at the Moe Lutheran Parish.
A tornado developed approximately two miles east of Brandon, just south of State Highway 138 west of 484th Avenue. The tornado moved eastward and toppled several large trees shortly after touchdown, then turned to more of a east-southeast direction. After tracking about one-quarter mile, the tornado did the greatest damage along its track at the Beaver Valley Lutheran Church, where a large portion of the roof was removed. The tornado continued another couple tenths of a mile across open fields before it dissipated. The estimated maximum wind speed was 105 mph and the average path width was 50 yards.
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 historyThe tornado archive for South Dakota, 2022Warnings 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1032444, 1032427, 1032443, 1032409, 1032429, 1032458, 1032430, 1032442, 1032413, 1032414, 1032416, 1032431, 1032432, 1032433, 1032448, 1032456, 1032434, 1033123, 1032411, 1032437, 1032447, 1032455, 1033120, 1032435, 1032405, 1032450, 1032451, 1032491, 1032495, 1032436, 1033078, 1032438, 1032453, 1032454, 1033071, 1032441, 1032439, 1032418, 1032420, 1032449, and more.