National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaFlood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Watches in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 5 flood watches for South Dakota in 2025 and 5 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 51st most of any state. 2026 through September: 4, 20% below the average of 5 for those months in 2008-2025. Central Black Hills was covered most often (26 times since 2008).
How many flood watches does South Dakota get?
Every flood watch that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does South Dakota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in South Dakota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Black Hills | 26 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Northern Black Hills | 25 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills | 24 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Rapid City | 24 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Northern Foot Hills | 24 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Pennington Co Plains | 23 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Southern Meade Co Plains | 20 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Jackson | 20 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Hermosa Foot Hills | 19 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Custer Co Plains | 19 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Butte | 19 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
| Southern Black Hills | 18 | 1 | August 3, 2023 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a flood watch?
A flood watch means conditions may lead to flooding in the coming day or days; it is not yet happening. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in South Dakota.