Tornado Watch For Parts of The Sioux Empire Tuesday

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for parts of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, Including parts of the Sioux Falls area, in effect until 5:00 PM Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Lincoln County and parts of south Sioux Falls are part of the Watch area.

WHAT IS A TORNADO WATCH?

"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." -National Weather Service

1110 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Western Iowa
     Northwest Missouri
     Eastern Nebraska
     Southeast South Dakota

   * Effective this Tuesday morning and afternoon from 1110 AM until
     500 PM CDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
     Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
       to 3 inches in diameter possible
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

   SUMMARY...The atmosphere is expected to rapidly become favorable for
   severe storm development, including the potential for tornadoes,
   through early/mid-afternoon.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
   east and west of a line from 55 miles west northwest of Spencer IA
   to 25 miles west of Falls City NE. For a complete depiction of the
   watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).

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