United StatesSouth DakotaNWS, FEMA, USGSArchive to October 13, 2026
South Dakota: warnings and declarations in 2026
The National Weather Service issued 998 warnings for South Dakota in 2026 through September, 15% above the average of 866 for those months in 2008-2025. The most frequent was the severe thunderstorm warning (786). FEMA has made 4 declarations for South Dakota this year.
Latest notices in South Dakota
NWS Rapid CityWarningOctober 9, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Central Black Hills, Southern Black Hills, Fall River County Area and 12 more, SD and WY
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, October 9, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 9, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Sioux and Union, IA and SD
Expired 4:15 a.m. CDT, October 9, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 9, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Plymouth, Sioux and Union, IA and SD
Expired 1:15 a.m. CDT, October 9, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 9, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lincoln and Union, SD
Expired 12:45 a.m. CDT, October 9, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 8, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Sioux, Clay, Lincoln and 2 more, IA and SD
Expired 12:00 a.m. CDT, October 9, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 8, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Clay, Lincoln, Turner and 1 more, SD
Expired 11:45 p.m. CDT, October 8, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 8, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Plymouth, Sioux and Union, IA and SD
Expired 11:15 p.m. CDT, October 8, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningOctober 8, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Clay and Union, SD
Expired 10:45 p.m. CDT, October 8, 2026
Which warnings, watches and advisories does South Dakota get?
| Product | Yearly average 2008-2025 | 2025 | 2026 through September | Average, same months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | 629 | 785 | 786 | 625 |
| Flood Warning | 101 | 95 | 37 | 97 |
| Wind Advisory | 77 | 86 | 46 | 51 |
| Winter Weather Advisory | 65 | 61 | 30 | 42 |
| Tornado Warning | 45 | 49 | 42 | 43 |
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch | 43 | 48 | 50 | 43 |
| Flash Flood Warning | 36 | 26 | 21 | 36 |
| Dense Fog Advisory | 34 | 48 | 49 | 25 |
| Red Flag Warning | 31 | 45 | 71 | 25 |
| Cold Weather Advisory | 26 | 30 | 13 | 21 |
| Flood Advisory | 24 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
| Fire Weather Watch | 20 | 30 | 31 | 16 |
| Winter Storm Watch | 20 | 15 | 5 | 13 |
| Winter Storm Warning | 19 | 11 | 4 | 13 |
| High Wind Warning | 17 | 31 | 18 | 10 |
| Heat Advisory | 14 | 32 | 19 | 14 |
| High Wind Watch | 10 | 21 | 9 | 6 |
| Tornado Watch | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| Blizzard Warning | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Frost Advisory | 8 | 12 | 14 | 5 |
| Flash Flood Watch | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Extreme Cold Warning | 6 | 15 | 3 | 5 |
| Freeze Warning | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Flood Watch | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Snow Squall Warning (since 2018) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Freezing Rain Advisory | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Blizzard Watch | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Freeze Watch | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Extreme Heat Warning | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Snow Advisory | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Extreme Heat Watch | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Extreme Cold Watch | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
How many warnings does South Dakota get each year?
Every NWS warning (VTEC significance W) that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is drawn as an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1,008 |
| 2025 | 1,077 |
| 2024 | 795 |
| 2023 | 739 |
| 2022 | 1,012 |
| 2021 | 650 |
| 2020 | 1,003 |
| 2019 | 1,239 |
| 2018 | 985 |
| 2017 | 689 |
| 2016 | 901 |
| 2015 | 839 |
| 2014 | 708 |
| 2013 | 804 |
| 2012 | 709 |
| 2011 | 1,166 |
| 2010 | 1,073 |
| 2009 | 787 |
| 2008 | 1,085 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
When in the year?
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 13, 2026.
FEMA declarations for South Dakota in 2026
FEMAMajor disasterSeptember 1, 2026
DR-4941-SD: Severe Storm, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding
1 designated area
FEMAMajor disasterSeptember 1, 2026
DR-4938-SD: Severe Storm, severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
10 designated areas
FEMAMajor disasterApril 7, 2026
DR-4903-SD: Straight-Line Winds, straight-line winds
3 designated areas
FEMAFire managementMarch 13, 2026
FM-5622-SD: Fire, qury fire
1 designated area
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Questions about South Dakota's warnings
How many weather warnings does South Dakota get a year?
An average of 903 NWS warnings a year in 2008-2025, and 1,077 in 2025.
What is the most common warning in South Dakota?
The severe thunderstorm warning: 629 a year on average in 2008-2025.
Where do the live warnings come from?
From the National Weather Service's alert feed (api.weather.gov), which AreaZine reads every few minutes. For a warning in force now, the NWS office page and NOAA Weather Radio are the first source; phones receive only the most dangerous warnings as Wireless Emergency Alerts.