National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 785 severe thunderstorm warnings for South Dakota in 2025 and 629 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 16th most of any state. 2026 through September: 786, 26% above the average of 625 for those months in 2008-2025. Pennington was covered most often (1,484 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does South Dakota get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 786 |
| 2025 | 785 |
| 2024 | 524 |
| 2023 | 541 |
| 2022 | 704 |
| 2021 | 475 |
| 2020 | 764 |
| 2019 | 635 |
| 2018 | 621 |
| 2017 | 544 |
| 2016 | 724 |
| 2015 | 582 |
| 2014 | 461 |
| 2013 | 627 |
| 2012 | 536 |
| 2011 | 753 |
| 2010 | 688 |
| 2009 | 520 |
| 2008 | 844 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennington | 1,484 | 335 | September 7, 2026 |
| Meade | 1,244 | 247 | September 28, 2026 |
| Custer | 920 | 216 | September 7, 2026 |
| Jackson | 669 | 169 | August 29, 2026 |
| Butte | 619 | 138 | September 28, 2026 |
| Perkins | 616 | 124 | September 24, 2026 |
| Dewey | 608 | 113 | September 28, 2026 |
| Lawrence | 577 | 111 | August 23, 2026 |
| Fall River | 564 | 151 | September 7, 2026 |
| Lyman | 541 | 101 | September 4, 2026 |
| Corson | 540 | 116 | September 28, 2026 |
| Haakon | 531 | 128 | August 24, 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 severe thunderstorm warnings for South Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS AberdeenWarningSeptember 27, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Dewey, Stanley and Sully, SD
Expired 10:00 a.m. CDT, September 27, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lyon, Lincoln, McCook and 2 more, IA and SD
Expired 8:30 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lincoln, Brookings, Lake and 1 more, MN and SD
Expired 7:45 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Douglas and 1 more, SD
Expired 11:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Bon Homme and Yankton, SD
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Bon Homme and Charles Mix, SD
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Custer, Meade and Pennington, SD
Expired 2:00 a.m. MDT, September 7, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningSeptember 5, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Dewey, Potter and Walworth, SD
Expired 6:15 p.m. CDT, September 5, 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 severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. 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.