National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 49 tornado warnings for South Dakota in 2025 and 45 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 25th most of any state. 2026 through September: 42, in line with the average of 43 for those months in 2008-2025. Hand was covered most often (42 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does South Dakota get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 42 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 58 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2009 | 91 |
| 2008 | 74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 42 | 3 | July 2, 2026 |
| Minnehaha | 42 | 9 | June 1, 2026 |
| Charles Mix | 39 | 8 | September 8, 2026 |
| Day | 39 | 4 | June 29, 2026 |
| Roberts | 38 | 2 | August 21, 2025 |
| Aurora | 36 | 6 | July 2, 2026 |
| Hutchinson | 35 | 5 | May 17, 2026 |
| Beadle | 34 | 6 | July 2, 2026 |
| McCook | 34 | 5 | June 1, 2026 |
| Clark | 33 | 8 | July 2, 2026 |
| Marshall | 32 | 3 | June 29, 2026 |
| Turner | 31 | 8 | June 1, 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 tornado warnings for South Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Tornado Warning: Bon Homme and Charles Mix, SD
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Tornado Warning: Charles Mix and Gregory, SD
Expired 8:15 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Rapid CityWarningAugust 10, 2026
Tornado Warning: Meade and Ziebach, SD
Expired 9:30 p.m. MDT, August 10, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningJuly 2, 2026
Tornado Warning: Beadle and Kingsbury, SD
Expired 6:00 p.m. CDT, July 2, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningJuly 2, 2026
Tornado Warning: Clark and Hamlin, SD
Expired 6:15 p.m. CDT, July 2, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningJuly 2, 2026
Tornado Warning: Aurora, Jerauld and Sanborn, SD
Expired 5:30 p.m. CDT, July 2, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningJuly 2, 2026
Tornado Warning: Aurora, Jerauld and Sanborn, SD
Expired 5:15 p.m. CDT, July 2, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningJune 29, 2026
Tornado Warning: Brown, Day and Marshall, SD
Expired 8:30 a.m. CDT, June 29, 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 tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. 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.