Wildfire and High Wind in South Dakota, March 12 to 13, 2026

Name: Wildfire and High Wind in South Dakota, March 12 to 13, 2026
Start: 2026-03-12T13:05
End: 2026-03-13T06:00
Location: South Dakota

March 12 to 13, 2026 · NWS ABR · 27 events in 26 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 27 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 27

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 ABR wrote it up.

Unseasonably mild air moved into the region ahead of a strong low pressure system. These conditions, on top of a fairly dry February across western South Dakota allowed a fire to develop northeast of the community of Green Grass and spread rapidly southeast. 991 acres of mostly prairie and pasture were burned in the fire, with a portion of Highway 63 closed due to smoke and the threat of the fire crossing the Highway.

Winds picked up dramatically with the passage of the low pressure system, with a peak wind gust of 81 mph recorded at the Pierre Regional Airport ASOS. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Weather Information System (RWIS) 1 mile west northwest of Summit recorded a wind gust as high as 79 mph, while the SDDOT RWIS 3 miles southeast of Reliance recorded a peak wind of 77 mph. Another 23 weather stations would record a peak wind in excess of 70 mph.

These high winds were responsible for at least one semi being blown off Interstate 29 near Summit, forcing a closure of the southbound lane.

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 Aberdeen, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 12, 11:52 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 12, 11:52 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 12, 2:16 AM CST, 10 hours 49 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 high wind, 1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Stanley

When: March 12, 1:05 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Stanley forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.412, -100.736 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) mesonet station 12 miles east of Hayes recorded a peak wind gust of 75 mph while the South Dakota State University mesonet station 7 miles southwest of Hayes peaked at 73 mph. The SDDOT station at Foster Bay recorded a peak gust of 72 mph while two additional mesonet stations in Stanley county recording peak wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.

High Wind, Hughes

When: March 12, 1:05 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Hughes forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.389, -99.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The ASOS at the Pierre Regional Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 81 mph, while a nearby mesonet station recorded a wind gust to 75 mph. Additionally, the South Dakota Department of Transportation mesonets 1 mile east northeast of Harrold and 9 miles east southeast of Rosseau recorded gusts of 71 and 70 mph respectively. 2 additional weather stations would go on to record peak wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.

Wildfire, Dewey

When: March 12, 1:23 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dewey forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 45.157, -100.872 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) fire detection tool identified a hot spot northeast of the community of Green Grass in the early afternoon of March 12th. Dewey county Emergency Management closed a portion of Highway 63 due to smoke and the threat from the fire. The fire burned through a total of 991 acres of mostly prairie and pasture.

High Wind, Dewey

When: March 12, 2:05 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Dewey forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.157, -100.872 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Weather Information System (RWIS) 1 mile northeast of the community of Ridgeview recorded a peak wind gust of 72 mph, while the SDDOT RWIS 1 mile northeast of the city of Timber Lake and South Dakota State University (SDSU) mesonet station 1 mile east of Parade both recorded a peak gust of 70 mph. 3 additional SDSU mesonet stations and the Bear Creek RAWS 4 miles northwest of Lantry recorded peak wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.

High Wind, Jones

When: March 12, 3:00 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Jones forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.961, -100.690 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Corson

When: March 12, 5:49 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Corson forecast zone
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 45.709, -101.197 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grand River RAWS 10 miles south of the community of Bullhead recorded a peak wind gust of 76 mph. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Weather Information System (RWIS) 4 miles west of Trail City recorded a peak wind of 74 mph, while the SDDOT RWIS stations 5 miles west northwest of McLaughlin and 5 miles south southwest of The Klein Ranch peaked at 68 and 67 mph respectively.

High Wind, Campbell

When: March 12, 6:05 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Campbell forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.771, -100.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Edmunds

When: March 12, 6:44 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Edmunds forecast zone
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.419, -99.215 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Potter

When: March 12, 6:48 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Potter forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.065, -99.957 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Walworth

When: March 12, 6:49 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Walworth forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.430, -100.032 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation mesonet station 4 miles east southeast of the town of Akaska recorded a peak wind gust of 71 mph, while the ASOS at the Mobridge Municipal Airport topped out at 68 mph. These strong winds resulted in the downing of a HAM radio tower at a residence within the city of Mobridge.

High Wind, McPherson

When: March 12, 7:05 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: McPherson forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.766, -99.221 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Brown

When: March 12, 7:15 PM CST to March 13, 1:48 AM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.590, -98.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Sully

When: March 12, 7:35 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Sully forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.716, -100.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hyde

When: March 12, 7:55 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Hyde forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.547, -99.487 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Day

When: March 12, 7:58 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Day forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.367, -97.607 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Spink

When: March 12, 8:05 PM CST to March 13, 1:48 AM CST
Where: Spink forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.938, -98.346 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hand

When: March 12, 8:15 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Hand forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 44.548, -99.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Huron RAWS, located 5 miles east of Danforth recorded a peak wind gust of 75 mph, while the South Dakota Department of Transportation mesonet station 5 miles east of Orient recorded a peak gust of 72 mph. 3 additional weather stations in Hand county recorded a peak wind gust in excess of 60 mph.

High Wind, Faulk

When: March 12, 8:16 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Faulk forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.071, -99.145 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Buffalo

When: March 12, 8:24 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Buffalo forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.076, -99.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lyman

When: March 12, 8:29 PM CST to March 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Lyman forecast zone
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.896, -99.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Weather Information System (RWIS) station 3 miles southeast of Reliance recorded a peak wind gust of 77 mph, while the SDDOT RWIS 6 miles southwest of Joe Creek Rec Area and 9 miles north northwest of Vivian both recorded peak winds of 71 mph. 6 additional weather stations would go on to observe a peak wind gust in excess of 60 mph.

High Wind, Clark

When: March 12, 8:48 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Clark forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.858, -97.729 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Weather Information System (RWIS) 6 miles west of Henry recorded a peak wind gust of 75 mph, while the SDDOT RWIS 3 miles west northwest of Wallace recorded a peak wind of 71 mph. The SDDOT RWIS 4 miles west of Bryant and the South Dakota State University mesonet station 7 miles northwest of Clark both recorded a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Hamlin

When: March 12, 9:01 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Hamlin forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.674, -97.188 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Roberts

When: March 12, 9:13 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Roberts forecast zone
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.630, -96.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) mesonet station 1 mile west northwest of Summit recorded a peak wind gust of 79 mph. Additionally, both the Sisseton Municipal Airport AWOS and the SDDOT mesonet station six miles south southwest of Peever recorded gusts of 74 mph. Two other stations in Roberts county would likewise record a peak wind gust in excess of 60 mph. These high winds caused a semi to blow over, blocking a portion of Interstate 29 near Summit.

High Wind, Deuel

When: March 12, 9:29 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Deuel forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.760, -96.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Codington

When: March 12, 9:56 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Codington forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.978, -97.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marshall

When: March 12, 9:59 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.759, -97.598 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Grant

When: March 12, 11:10 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.172, -96.768 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Dakota in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in South Dakota, March 2026

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: 1312135, 1312180, 1315670, 1312126, 1312138, 1312113, 1312145, 1312186, 1312148, 1312146, 1312183, 1315878, 1312153, 1312189, 1315894, 1315879, 1312192, 1312187, 1312143, 1312142, 1315903, 1315905, 1315898, 1315908, 1315904, 1315892, 1315900.