National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 45 red flag warnings for South Dakota in 2025 and 31 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 10th most of any state. 2026 through September: 71, 184% above the average of 25 for those months in 2008-2025. Badlands Area was covered most often (144 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does South Dakota get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 71 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2024 | 60 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 76 |
| 2021 | 59 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2012 | 74 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badlands Area | 144 | 47 | September 11, 2026 |
| Southern Black Hills | 118 | 35 | September 11, 2026 |
| Fall River County Area | 107 | 60 | September 11, 2026 |
| Pine Ridge Area | 100 | 56 | September 11, 2026 |
| Lower Bad River | 85 | 0 | November 6, 2020 |
| Custer County Plains | 80 | 45 | September 11, 2026 |
| Upper Cheyenne | 79 | 0 | November 3, 2020 |
| Bennett County Area | 77 | 46 | September 11, 2026 |
| Jones | 73 | 41 | September 11, 2026 |
| Southwestern South Dakota | 72 | 0 | September 23, 2018 |
| Bon Homme | 71 | 43 | May 14, 2026 |
| Yankton | 71 | 45 | May 14, 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 red flag warnings for South Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS AberdeenWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Stanley, Hughes, Hyde and 1 more, SD
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southern Black Hills, Fall River County Area, Custer County Plains and 4 more, SD and WY
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, September 11, 2026
NWS BillingsWarningSeptember 9, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Sioux Ranger District Custer National Forest, MT and SD
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, September 10, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningSeptember 8, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Corson, Campbell, Walworth and 3 more, SD
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, September 8, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Fall River County Area, Northern Campbell, Southern Campbell and 2 more, SD and WY
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningSeptember 3, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Butte County Area, Northern Campbell, Southern Campbell and 3 more, SD and WY
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, September 4, 2026
NWS BillingsWarningSeptember 3, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation/Ashland Ranger District Custer Natl Forest, Custer County, Sioux Ranger District Custer National Forest and 1 more, MT and SD
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 4, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningSeptember 3, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Pine Ridge Area, SD
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, September 3, 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 red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. 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.