National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Plains

Severe thunderstorms will be possible over parts of the northern Plains today through Thursday which could bring large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. Today and Wednesday, thunderstorms with heavy to excessive rainfall may produce flooding over parts of the southern High Plains. North Dakota could also see heavy to excessive rainfall today. Read More >

Wednesday evening, strong supercell thunderstorms moved through portions of north central South Dakota.  These tornadic storms directly impacted the city of Wessington Springs, SD.  Here are the results of a preliminary damage survey for the city.

 

Rating: EF-2 

Peak wind: 135 mph

Path length: 2.26 miles

Path Width:  200 yards

Fatalities: none

Injuries: none

 

 

 

The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories.

Ef0...Weak......65 to 85 mph

Ef1...Weak......86 to 110 mph

Ef2...Strong....111 to 135 mph

Ef3...Strong....136 to 165 mph

Ef4...Violent...166 to 200 mph

Ef5...Violent...>200 mph*