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Dangerous Heat in the Central and Eastern U.S.; Severe Thunderstorms in the Plains to the Upper Midwest

A significant and dangerous heat wave will expand from the Central U.S. into the Eastern U.S and linger through much of the work week. Numerous daily record highs and warm lows are likely. Severe thunderstorms are possible from the southern Plains through the Upper Mississippi Valley. Fire weather concerns are expected to persist across the Four Corners region. Read More >

Overview

Severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of a cold front moving southeast across central South Dakota during the late afternoon and evening hours on August 30th, 2020.  These thunderstorms produced hail up to 2" in diameter and an EF-2 tornado north of Miller, SD which resulted in a fatality when an RV was struck on SD HWY 45. This was the first tornado-related fatality in South Dakota since June 4th, 1999.

We wish to thank emergency management, first responders, storm chasers, trained spotters, and the public for the information they provided to us during and after the event.

Tornado picture at 6:13 PM north of Miller, SD. Photo taken by Lucus Howard
Tornado picture at 6:13 PM north of Miller, SD. Photo taken by Lucus Howard

Surface weather chart at 4pm on August 30, 2020.  The cold front in western and northern South Dakota was moving southeast across the state.
Surface weather chart at 4pm on August 30, 2020.  The cold front in western and northern South Dakota was moving southeast across the state. "Sandwich" satellite loop of the storms from 4pm to 9pm on August 30, 2020.  Radar loop of the severe thunderstorms that occurred during the evening of August 30, 2020.
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