A wet period at the end of the July resulted in saturated soils and increased runoff, allowing for isolated river flooding through portions of the Floyd River Basin. The sharpest rises were observed with a heavy rain on the night of July 29 into the morning of July 30.
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 wet period at the end of the July resulted in saturated soils and increased runoff, allowing for isolated river flooding through portions of the Floyd River Basin. The sharpest rises were observed with a heavy rain on the night of July 29 into the morning of July 30.
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 Jul 30, 4:57 PM CST, 3 hours 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 557 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Potential for some very localized heavy rain this afternoon and evening, mainly south of I-90. A few funnel cloud are also likely. - Below normal temperatures settle in through early next week. - Some smoke mainly aloft will be possible the remainder of the week. - Sunday should be the next chance for a few severe storms but for now this threat appears to remain isolated. Tuesday night appears to be the next chance for severe storms after Sunday with what looks to be a bit better chance for scattered severe storms. However, uncertainty remains in the coverage and severity with this potential activity. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 222 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 Today should be the final day of the deeper moisture that has been aiding in producing almost daily thunderstorms across the area. A weak MCV will continue to weaken in southeast SD this afternoon. This should be the focus for a few showers and thunderstorms. The hi- res models that have this suggest the an storms that develop should be mainly south of I-90. That area has had quite a bit of rain the past week. Storm motion looks pretty slow and model soundings have relatively weak CAPE (500-1000 J/kg) with the freezing level around 12-13 kft, so likely some efficient rainers. The HRRR and ARW seem to be handling things best thus far. The Nam 3KM and NSSL have convection in northwest IA from 12-15z this morning which is not happening so they are being ruled out. The models handling the MCV better are producing a small area of 1-3", possibly up to 4" which would fall over a short period of time with the focused area south of I-90 in far southeast SD then into northwest IA. For now the better chances will be between Sioux Falls and Sioux City, but will monitor for any changes in this subtle, weakly forced environment. Along with the threat for pockets of heavy rain will be a few funnel clouds. Winds in the lowest few thousand feet are very light and a weak boundary is also in place in far southern SD and northwest IA along with very low LFC/LCL. All of this hints that a few funnels are likely during the initial updraft phase but for now production of a tornado looks unlikely. Any shower and thunderstorms activity should pretty much follow the diurnal cycle with most activity done by 10 pm to midnight. Through the night drier and more stable northeast flow will bring quieter weather Thursday into Friday with seasonally cool temperatures. Highs will be in the 70s to around 80 with lows in the 50s to near 60. On Friday night troughiness to the west develops and swings a mid level wave into central SD. The LLJ increases with a focus more to the west of the area, but this forcing does creep towards the James Valley. Overall instability looks pretty low so only very isolates severe is expected. Saturday into Saturday night continues to indicate a decent LLJ into the area with troughiness and a mid level wave rotating through. This will keep chances for showers and thunderstorms in place, but the severe threat continues to look very isolated. Sunday will continue the chances for showers and thunderstorms with a slight increase in the threat for a few severe storms. The upper level troughiness begins to slip eastward with a bit stronger northwest flow aloft providing a bump in shear. Will continue to monitor trends with upcoming model runs. Thunderstorm chances continue into early next week. There may be a lull Monday night into Tuesday, but by Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night a stronger jet/wave moves onto the Northern Plains and could bring the next better chance for scattered severe storms. Temperatures Tuesday into Wednesday will climb back to around normal. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 554 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 VFR rain and scattered thunderstorms will continue to sink southward late this afternoon and evening. Gradually this precipitation will come to an end leaving a VFR ceiling in place through the night. Latest guidance maintains a high broken VFR ceiling into Thursday in most locations as winds remain light from the northeast. Minor visibility restrictions may begin to develop due to wildfire smoke drifting southward into Thursday. Most upstream observations remain above 4SM, but will hint at some minor haze through mid-day Thursday. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && DISCUSSION...08 AVIATION...Dux
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 830 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-010130- 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- 830 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for 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. Lingering shower dissipate through the evening. Minor rises in streams and creeks will remain possible across portions of far southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa into Thursday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms will occur over the weekend. However, uncertainty remains in severity and coverage. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 320 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-NEZ013-014-SDZ050-063>071- 302300- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Dixon-Dakota-Gregory-Charles Mix-Douglas- Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Union- Including the cities of Rock Rapids, George, Inwood, Larchwood, Sibley, Spirit Lake, Milford, Arnolds Park, Sioux Center, Orange City, Rock Valley, Hawarden, Hull, Sheldon, Hartley, Sanborn, Spencer, Le Mars, Cherokee, Storm Lake, Sioux City, Ida Grove, Holstein, Battle Creek, Wakefield, Ponca, Allen, South Sioux City, Gregory, Burke, Wagner, Platte, Lake Andes, Marty, Armour, Corsica, Delmont, Parkston, Freeman, Menno, Tripp, Clayton, Parker, Centerville, Marion, Viborg, Irene, Hurley, Chancellor, Canton, Lennox, Tea, Harrisburg, Tyndall, Scotland, Springfield, Avon, Tabor, Yankton, Vermillion, North Sioux City, Beresford, Elk Point, Alcester, and Jefferson 320 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025 ...FUNNEL CLOUDS POSSIBLE ACROSS SOUTHERN SOUTH DAKOTA INTO NORTHEAST NEBRASKA AND NORTHWEST IOWA... Showers and isolated thunderstorms have developed across southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa. Conditions are favorable for funnel clouds with any activity that develops. These types of funnel clouds are usually short lived and weak, and usually will not touch the ground or cause damage. However, if you see a funnel cloud and feel your safety is threatened, please seek shelter.
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
456 PM CDT Wed Jul 30 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0510 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 S Chamberlain 43.74N 99.31W
07/29/2025 Brule SD CO-OP Observer
Several trees blown over. Very strong winds
tore off part of roof of house.
0542 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 14 W Platte 43.39N 99.12W
07/29/2025 M61 MPH Charles Mix SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 154 SD RWIS Platte-Winner
Bridge.
0546 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SW Platte 43.30N 98.99W
07/29/2025 M59 MPH Charles Mix SD Mesonet
Public Mesonet Wind Observation.
0608 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 N Platte 43.49N 98.85W
07/29/2025 Charles Mix SD Trained Spotter
Strong winds. Large healthy tree branch
down, estimated 8-9 inches in diameter. Time
estimated via radar.
0618 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Plankinton 43.71N 98.58W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Aurora SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 214 SD RWIS Plankinton.
0623 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Plankinton 43.71N 98.58W
07/29/2025 M61 MPH Aurora SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 214 SD RWIS Plankinton.
0646 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Mitchell 43.77N 98.04W
07/29/2025 M63 MPH Davison SD ASOS
ASOS station KMHE Mitchell Municipal
Airport.
0652 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Corsica 43.38N 98.41W
07/29/2025 M63 MPH Douglas SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 304 SD RWIS Corsica.
0658 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 8 WNW Dimock 43.51N 98.14W
07/29/2025 M62 MPH Davison SD Mesonet
Reported via mobile mesonet on X.
0701 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 N Fulton 43.79N 97.83W
07/29/2025 M73 MPH Hanson SD Public
Personal weather station.
0714 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Tripp 43.24N 97.99W
07/29/2025 M61 MPH Hutchinson SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 26 SD RWIS Tripp.
0715 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 ENE Alexandria 43.67N 97.71W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Hanson SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 213 SD RWIS Alexandria.
0720 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Tripp 43.24N 97.99W
07/29/2025 M68 MPH Hutchinson SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 26 SD RWIS Tripp.
0725 PM Hail 1 E Fulda 43.87N 95.59W
07/29/2025 M0.75 Inch Murray MN Public
0732 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SW Tyndall 42.98N 97.87W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Bon Homme SD Public
Personal weather system.
0735 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Bridgewater 43.55N 97.50W
07/29/2025 McCook SD Emergency Mngr
Scattered tree damage throughout the city of
Bridgewater.
0735 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Bridgewater 43.55N 97.51W
07/29/2025 E75 MPH McCook SD Emergency Mngr
0745 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 S Freeman 43.28N 97.42W
07/29/2025 M62 MPH Hutchinson SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 163 SD RWIS Freeman.
0745 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Dolton 43.48N 97.46W
07/29/2025 M70 MPH Hutchinson SD Public
Personal weather station.
0745 PM Hail 4 W Heron Lake 43.79N 95.41W
07/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Jackson MN Public
0749 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNE Freeman 43.40N 97.41W
07/29/2025 M75 MPH Hutchinson SD Public
Personal weather station.
0750 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 N Dolton 43.54N 97.39W
07/29/2025 M67 MPH McCook SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 322 SD RWIS STANLEY CORNER.
0800 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ESE Marion 43.41N 97.22W
07/29/2025 M69 MPH Turner SD Public
Personal weather station.
0805 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Dolton 43.49N 97.31W
07/29/2025 M64 MPH Turner SD Public
Personal weather station.
0806 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SW Hurley 43.23N 97.17W
07/29/2025 E69 MPH Turner SD Mesonet
First severe gust at 806 pm, peak of 69 mph
at 816 pm. Hurley SDSU Mesonet site.
0830 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Parker 43.37N 97.08W
07/29/2025 M59 MPH Turner SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 310 SD RWIS Parker.
0833 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WSW Rowena 43.51N 96.64W
07/29/2025 M59 MPH Minnehaha SD Public
Personal weather station.
0848 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Irene 43.08N 97.08W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Turner SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 320 SD RWIS IRENE.
0851 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Beresford 43.04N 96.80W
07/29/2025 M63 MPH Union SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 16 SD RWIS Beresford.
0851 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSE Centerville 43.04N 96.90W
07/29/2025 M70 MPH Clay SD Mesonet
Mesonet station BFMS2 Beresford 7 WSW (SD
Mesonet).
0852 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSW Vermillion 42.77N 96.93W
07/29/2025 M61 MPH Clay SD AWOS
AWOS station KVMR Vermillion.
0854 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Beresford 43.09N 96.79W
07/29/2025 M72 MPH Lincoln SD Public
Personal weather station.
0855 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Gayville 42.88N 97.22W
07/29/2025 M58 MPH Yankton SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 197 SD RWIS Gayville.
0857 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Beresford 43.09N 96.78W
07/29/2025 M66 MPH Lincoln SD Public
Personal weather station.
0857 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 N Vermillion 42.86N 96.91W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Clay SD Public
Personal weather station.
0900 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Newcastle 42.65N 96.87W
07/29/2025 Dixon NE Trained Spotter
NE Highway 12 blocked by several large trees
down in Newcastle.
0905 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Beresford 43.04N 96.80W
07/29/2025 M73 MPH Union SD Mesonet
Mesonet station 16 SD RWIS Beresford.
0915 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Ponca 42.59N 96.75W
07/29/2025 M62 MPH Dixon NE Public
Personal weather station.
0925 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Wakefield 42.27N 96.87W
07/29/2025 Dixon NE CO-OP Observer
Large section of a 50-60 foot tree down at
the cemetery. Other spotty wind damage
around town to tree limbs.
0925 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 E Remsen 42.81N 95.96W
07/29/2025 M62 MPH Plymouth IA Public
Personal weather station.
0933 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WSW North Sioux City 42.52N 96.57W
07/29/2025 M67 MPH Union SD Public
Personal weather station.
0935 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Jefferson 42.57N 96.53W
07/29/2025 M68 MPH Union SD Dept of Highways
Mesonet station 53 SD RWIS North Sioux City.
0937 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSW Newcastle 42.60N 96.91W
07/29/2025 M60 MPH Dixon NE Public
Personal weather station.
0942 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSE Westfield 42.67N 96.55W
07/29/2025 M66 MPH Plymouth IA Mesonet
Personal weather station.
0959 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WSW Sioux City 42.50N 96.41W
07/29/2025 M58 MPH Woodbury IA Public
Personal weather station.
1001 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SW Sergeant Bluff 42.38N 96.38W
07/29/2025 M59 MPH Woodbury IA ASOS
ASOS station KSUX Sioux Gateway Airport.
1221 AM Flash Flood 3 SSW Alton 42.95N 96.03W
07/30/2025 Sioux IA Law Enforcement
Hwy 60 near 480th closed due the roadway
being flooded.
0205 AM Flash Flood 2 NNE Struble 42.92N 96.18W
07/30/2025 Sioux IA Other Federal
The Floyd River near Struble rose nearly 8
feet in 3 hours to flood stage.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The Floyd River at Alton rose above flood stage on the evening of July 30th, cresting around 1.46 feet above flood stage (13.46 ft) on July 31st. The river then fell below flood stage on the afternoon of July 31st.
The Floyd River at Le Mars briefly rose above flood stage on the afternoon of July 31st, cresting around 0.1 feet above flood stage (20.1 ft). The river then quickly fell below flood stage on the evening of July 31st.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, July 2025
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: 1288695, 1288696.