May 30th, 2022 Severe Weather Summary

Preliminary Tornadoes:

Tornado #1 - From 5 miles south of Goodwin, SD to 1 mile north of Tunerville, SD Deuel County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 2:46pm - 2:58pm EF Rating EF3 Est. Peak Winds 140 mph Path Length 10.15 miles Max Width 100 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A grain bin was ripped from the base and tossed a mile to the northeast, a farmstead lost several outbuildings and sustained damage to the home, and a transmission tower was completely twisted and collapsed.  Track Map Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 2:48pm Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Tornado #2 - From 8 miles NNE of Estelline, SD to 2 miles SSE of Altamont, SD Deuel County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 2:41pm - 2:53pm EF Rating EF2 Est. Peak Winds 115 Path Length 11.9 miles Max Width 150 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A farmstead had one destroyed and one partially destroyed stave silo, a severely damaged barn, and a grain bin that was tossed a quarter mile to the northeast. At least 4 other farmsteads were damaged along the tornado's path.  Track Map   Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 2:46pm Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Tornado #3 - 3 miles WNW of Clear Lake, SD Deuel County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 2:50pm - 2:50pm EF Rating EF1 Est. Peak Winds 90 mph Path Length 0.43 miles Max Width 20 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A clear path was observed through a tree grove, and farm machinery was tossed.    Track Map Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 2:50pm Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Tornado #4 - From 4 miles SSW of La Bolt, SD to 4 miles NNW of Albee, SD Grant County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 3:05pm - 3:10pm EF Rating EF1 Est. Peak Winds 100 mph Path Length 10.31 miles Max Width 40 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A farmstead had a roof ripped off a barn, damage to a machine shed, a destroyed stave silo, and a dented grain bin; the home had debris pierced through walls, roof panels ripped off, and broken windows. Another residence had half a barn roof ripped off and tossed a quarter mile to the northeast. Power poles were snapped at the base. Track Map   Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 3:05pm Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey Damage as seen on the NWS survey   Tornado #5 - 4 miles ENE of of Stone Bridge, SD Hamlin County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 2:30pm - 2:30pm EF Rating EF0 Est. Peak Winds 85 mph Path Length 0.65 miles Max Width 10 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: An eyewitness saw a brief tornado touchdown. Only minor damage to a cattle shed was noted.  Track Map         Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 2:30pm         Tornado #6 - 4 miles south of Artichoke, MN  Big Stone County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 3:36pm - 3:38pm EF Rating EF1 Est. Peak Winds 90 mph Path Length 2.41 miles Max Width 30 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A storm chaser documented the brief tornado touchdown. Two farmsteads were damaged.  Track Map         Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 3:38pm         Tornado #7 - From 4 miles north of Albee, SD to 5 miles SE of Milbank, SD Grant County Date 5/30/2022 Time (Local) 3:10pm - 3:14pm EF Rating EF1 Est. Peak Winds 100 mph Path Length 4.45 miles Max Width 20 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: The tornado mangled trees, snapped and uprooted trees, damaged a dairy barn, and tore off a quarter of the roof of a house.  Track Map         Radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) at 3:12pm

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Photos, Video

Damage west of Clear Lake. Photo courtesy of the Deuel County Emergency Manager.	Damage west of Clear Lake. Photo courtesy of the Deuel County Emergency Manager.	Damage west of Clear Lake. Photo courtesy of the Deuel County Emergency Manager.	Damage south of Artichoke Lake. Image courtesy of Jason Bednar
Damage south of Artichoke Lake. Image courtesy of Jason Bednar	Damage south of Artichoke Lake. Image courtesy of Jason Bednar	Damage about 7 miles southeast of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Jackie Loeschke	Damage about 7 miles southeast of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Jackie Loeschke
County and secondary roads under water or washed out across Grant County. Photo from the Emergency Manager.	County and secondary roads under water or washed out across Grant County. Photo from the Emergency Manager.	County and secondary roads under water or washed out across Grant County. Photo from the Emergency Manager.	A couple examples of flooded roads across Big Stone County. Photo courtesy of the Emergency Manager
One example of flooded roadways, this one near Wilmot around 4pm on the 30th. Photo from the SD Highway Patrol.	Tree damage about 9 miles southeast of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Aj Kolb	Tree damage about 9 miles southeast of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Aj Kolb	Tornado damage south of LaBolt. Photo courtesy of Dakota Wollschlager
Tornado damage south of LaBolt. Photo courtesy of Dakota Wollschlager	Tornado damage south of LaBolt. Photo courtesy of Dakota Wollschlager	Tornado damage south of LaBolt. Photo courtesy of Dakota Wollschlager	Tornado damage ~5 miles SE of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Amy Torgerson
Tornado damage ~5 miles SE of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Amy Torgerson	Tornado damage ~5 miles SE of Milbank. Photo courtesy of Amy Torgerson

Radar, Satellite

Storm Reports

Locations of preliminary reports of severe weather across the area, including damaging straight-line winds, large hail, heavy rain and tornadoes. Find the latest reports and information for each one at this updated interactive map.

Rainfall, Flooding

24 hour radar-estimated rainfall totals during the calendar day on Monday, May 30th. Red and purple colors represent values of 2 to 4+ inches. 

A few preliminary measured rainfall totals from May 30th. Aberdeen and Watertown set daily rainfall records for May 30th with 3.45" and 2.16" of rain respectively. 

May 30th capped off a wet several days across the area.

As a result of the heavy rain on May 30th, which fell on already saturated soils, flooding was observed across many roadways from Hamlin to Traverse Counties, and locally elsewhere. River flooding also became an issue, with several river gauge sites spiking to minor flood stage.  

Whetstone River above Big Stone City, MN	Big Sioux River near Castlewood, SD	Big Sioux River at Watertown - Broadway Avenue	Big Sioux River at Watertown - Sioux Conifer Road

Environment, Historical Significance

Surface observations

10am, May 30th, showing strong low pressure across Nebraska	1pm, May 30th, showing low pressure and its associated warm front lifting north	4pm, May 30th, showing the system continuing north and east	7pm, May 30th, showing low pressure remaining in the area, leading to continued heavy rainfall

Historical Significance

12 tornadoes were confirmed in South Dakota on May 30th, 2022. By the end of May 2022, 29 total tornadoes had been confirmed during the month across South Dakota, which ranks tied 3rd for the most of any May since records began in 1950 (29 in 2007, 31 in 1985 and 42 in 1965). South Dakota averages 6.6 tornadoes during a typical May, and a total of 30 tornadoes each season (from 1991-2021).

30 tornadoes were confirmed in Minnesota on May 30th, 2022. This was the largest single-day tornado outbreak in the state since September 20th, 2018 when 33 tornadoes were confirmed. By the end of May 2022, 58 total tornadoes had been confirmed during the month across Minnesota, which ranks as the most for any May since records began in 1950 (27 in 2001, 24 in 1965), and as the second most in any single month behind only June 2010's 83. Minnesota averages 6.4 tornadoes during a typical May, and a total of 49 tornadoes each season (from 1991-2021). 

A Moderate risk of severe weather from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) was in place across the area. Shown is the initial morning forecast on the 30th.	Moderate risks from the SPC are only issued about 1 to 2 times on average each year across central & northeastern SD and west central MN.	A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Watch was in place across portions of northeastern SD and west central MN. These are issued in rare situations when particularly dangerous tornadoes are possible.	NWS Aberdeen has issued more Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings (combined) through May 31st than any other year on record since 1986 (when records began): 103 of them. 2nd place was 70 in 1996.
Preliminary storm reports as of June 2nd across the country for May 2022