National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 31 high wind warnings for South Dakota in 2025 and 17 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 11th most of any state. 2026 through September: 18, 72% above the average of 10 for those months in 2008-2025. Southern Meade Co Plains was covered most often (131 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does South Dakota get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 18 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 44 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Meade Co Plains | 131 | 26 | April 23, 2026 |
| Pennington Co Plains | 127 | 23 | April 23, 2026 |
| Harding | 120 | 24 | April 23, 2026 |
| Butte | 111 | 24 | April 23, 2026 |
| Northern Meade Co Plains | 110 | 24 | April 23, 2026 |
| Rapid City | 103 | 13 | March 12, 2026 |
| Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills | 90 | 0 | April 5, 2022 |
| Perkins | 89 | 0 | December 25, 2022 |
| Ziebach | 77 | 12 | March 12, 2026 |
| Haakon | 72 | 14 | March 12, 2026 |
| Northern Foot Hills | 65 | 0 | November 2, 2022 |
| Custer Co Plains | 59 | 9 | March 12, 2026 |
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.
The latest high wind warnings for South Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS AberdeenWarningJune 29, 2026
High Wind Warning: Marshall and Day, SD
Expired 1:00 p.m. CDT, June 29, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningJune 10, 2026
High Wind Warning: Aurora, Davison, Hanson and 2 more, SD
Expired 2:00 a.m. CDT, June 10, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningApril 22, 2026
High Wind Warning: Harding, Northern Perkins, Butte and 5 more, SD
Expired 6:00 p.m. MDT, April 23, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in South Dakota.