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Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding Threat in Montana; Severe Thunderstorms in the Middle Missouri Valley

A low pressure system will bring heavy to excessive rainfall and high winds across Montana this afternoon. Heavy rainfall totals may lead to scattered flash flooding concerns. A line of showers and strong to severe thunderstorms will move into the mid Missouri Valley region this afternoon producing severe winds and isolated large hail with stronger storms. Read More >

Overview

A broad area of rapidly moving showers and thunderstorms impacted central and northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota on the afternoon of Sunday, May 28th. Due to a favorable environment involving dry air near the surface and strong winds aloft, these storms were able to translate strong to severe winds to the surface. Due to a very dry May, in which moderate drought conditions developed across much of north central South Dakota, these winds kicked up large amounts of dust. These dust storms were fairly common and widely reported, drastically reducing visibility for minutes on end. While quite ominous looking, these storms did not have the potential to produce tornadoes. Sometimes dust can become lofted to heights that are normally associated with tornadoes. However, unless a rotating funnel cloud extends downward from the clouds above an area of rotating dust, the phenomenon is non-tornadic (not to say these storms weren't dangerous - there were reports of damage). Unfortunately, not much precipitation fell with this activity as the storms were fast moving and some rainfall evaporated before reaching the ground.

 

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Dust Storm Near Craven Corner

Photo courtesy of Jes Hart

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