Severe Weather Alert: Tornado Watch For South Dakota Residents

UPDATE: The Tornado Watch has been discontinued.

A NEW Severe Thunderstorm Watch For Parts of the Sioux Empire Monday Night Until 11 (MORE HERE)

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Monday, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch that includes parts of southeastern South Dakota as well as large parts of western Iowa and Minnesota.

In South Dakota, Lincoln and Union Counties are in the Watch area. Parts of South Sioux Falls are in Lincoln County.

The entire city of Sioux Falls should be prepared for severe weather today.

The Tornado Watch is in effect until 8:00 PM tonight (Monday, April 28).

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. - NWS

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Tornado Watch Number 180
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1230 PM CDT Mon Apr 28 2025

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Northwest Iowa
     Southwest Minnesota
     Extreme Southeast South Dakota

   * Effective this Monday afternoon and evening from 1230 PM until
     800 PM CDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
     Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3
       inches in diameter likely
     Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
       to 80 mph possible

   SUMMARY...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms developing along a
   surface front will develop east/northeast through the afternoon.
   These storms will have the potential to produce large to very large
   hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 40 statute miles
   east and west of a line from 85 miles north of Redwood Falls MN to
   30 miles west of Storm Lake IA. For a complete depiction of the
   watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
   tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
   area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
   threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
   and possible warnings.

5 Myths About Tornadoes You Shouldn't Believe

Sioux Falls, South Dakota may not be smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, but we still get our share of severe thunderstorms. Thunder, rain, lighting, and tornadoes are all possible.

The thing about tornadoes is that they are very destructive and very rare. Most people probably won’t even see an actual twister in their life. But if they do, it can mean devastation.

We don’t need to be at battle stations all spring and summer and freak out every time it gets cloudy.

We do need to think, prep, and pay attention.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns