National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 8 tornado watches for South Dakota in 2025 and 10 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 24th most of any state. 2026 through September: 6, 36% below the average of 9 for those months in 2008-2025. Union was covered most often (54 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does South Dakota get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 6 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2008 | 16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 54 | 10 | June 10, 2026 |
| Clay | 52 | 8 | June 10, 2026 |
| Bon Homme | 48 | 4 | June 10, 2026 |
| Hutchinson | 47 | 5 | June 10, 2026 |
| Lincoln | 47 | 6 | June 10, 2026 |
| Yankton | 46 | 5 | June 10, 2026 |
| Jackson | 43 | 5 | June 27, 2026 |
| Roberts | 43 | 5 | June 29, 2026 |
| Turner | 42 | 4 | June 10, 2026 |
| Grant | 41 | 3 | June 3, 2026 |
| Douglas | 40 | 4 | June 9, 2026 |
| Hanson | 40 | 4 | June 10, 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.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. 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.