Sioux Falls, SD

Weather Forecast Office

July 28th, 2025 Tornadoes and Derecho Across Southeast South Dakota and Northern Iowa

Overview

A very warm and humid late July afternoon and subtle low pressure in central South Dakota allowed isolated thunderstorms to quickly evolve on July 28th. The storms became more numerous later in the afternoon and evening as they moved farther east. The storms continued into the late evening and progressed into northwest Iowa during the early hours of July 29th.

The initial isolated storms in central South Dakota produced a couple of tornadoes. The first one was about one mile northwest of Dixon. It produced EF-1 damage to a farm outbuilding, some power poles, and a DOT truck shelter. The second one was about eight miles northwest of Bonesteel. It produced EF-2 damage to power poles, a single-family home, two outbuildings, a camper, and an abandoned trailer.

As the storms became more numerous farther east, the system developed into a derecho, with many locations impacted by destructive straight-line winds. Wind gusts of 55 to 99 mph were common across the southeast quarter of South Dakota and the northern half of Iowa.

Another tornado developed later in the storm event about one mile east of Alvord, Iowa. It produced EF-1 damage to some farm structures, a large barn, and a grove of trees.

The greatest concentration of wind damage was near a line from Beresford, SD, to Spencer, IA. Numerous reports of strong wind gusts and photos of structural damage were collected across the area.

Regional Radar Loop


Dixon SD Tornado (Credit: Jordan Hall)	Severe Weather Warnings (July 28, 2025)	Local Storm Reports (July 28, 2025)

Tornado
Storm Reports
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Tornadoes

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EF-Scale

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

Tornadoes that fail to impact any ratable damage indicators on the EF-Scale are rated EF-Unknown (EF-U)

Storm Reports

Map of Severe Weather Report - July 28, 2025

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..

1117 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Alton 42.99N 96.01W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Public

On the east side of town, an enclosed
trailer was flipped on its side by
thunderstorm wind gusts.

1114 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sanborn 43.18N 95.66W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Public

Numerous tree branches broken, ranging from
6 to 18 inches in diameter. Some fell on
houses. Many streets are blocked.

1042 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WNW Spencer 43.17N 95.22W
07/28/2025 M92 MPH Clay IA ASOS

ASOS station KSPW Spencer Municipal Airport.

1040 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Alton 42.99N 96.01W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Public

Social media report of building damage at
the lumber yard in Alton. Estimated winds of
80 kts. Timing and winds estimated by radar.

1039 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WNW Spencer 43.17N 95.22W
07/28/2025 M87 MPH Clay IA ASOS

ASOS station KSPW Spencer Municipal Airport.

1037 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSE Lake Park 43.40N 95.31W
07/28/2025 M63 MPH Dickinson IA Mesonet

Personal Weather Station (KIALAKEP2) near
Milford measured a 63 mph wind gust.

1030 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WSW Lakeside 42.60N 95.22W
07/28/2025 M60 MPH Buena Vista IA AWOS

AWOS station KSLB Storm Lake Airport.

1025 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Spencer 43.15N 95.15W
07/28/2025 Clay IA Public

Trees uprooted in town. Report via mPING.

1024 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ENE Melvin 43.32N 95.48W
07/28/2025 M58 MPH Osceola IA Mesonet

A personal weather station (KIAMAYCI1) near
Melvin recorded a 58 mph wind gust.

1016 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sheldon 43.18N 95.84W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Public

Many large branches across town knocked down
by thunderstorm wind gusts. A camper was
flipped upside down on the east side of
town.

1008 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Primghar 43.09N 95.63W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Emergency Mngr

Highway 59 across the entire town is closed
due to so many trees knocked down onto the
road by thunderstorm wind gusts.

1008 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Primghar 43.09N 95.63W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Trained Spotter

Highway 59 across the entire town is closed
due to so many trees knocked down onto the
road by thunderstorm wind gusts.

1008 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Primghar 43.09N 95.63W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Trained Spotter

Highway 59 across the entire town is closed
due to so many trees knocked down onto the
road by thunderstorm wind gusts.

1002 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 N Meriden 42.84N 95.64W
07/28/2025 Cherokee IA Public

Large trees snapped and uprooted.

1000 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 WNW Larrabee 42.88N 95.64W
07/28/2025 Cherokee IA Trained Spotter

Large trees down on farmstead.

0952 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSE Rock Rapids 43.37N 96.14W
07/28/2025 M79 MPH Lyon IA Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0950 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Ashton 43.28N 95.78W
07/28/2025 Osceola IA Trained Spotter

Large tree blown down into house and two
trees blown onto garage.

0950 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Sheldon 43.19N 95.82W
07/28/2025 OBrien IA Public

Social media report with pictures of damage
done to and RV business in Sheldon. Winds
approximately 90 kts. Timing and wind speeds
estimated by radar.

0945 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Sheldon 43.21N 95.83W
07/28/2025 M53 MPH OBrien IA AWOS

The Sheldon AWOS recorded a 53 mph wind
gust.

0941 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Orange City 43.02N 96.08W
07/28/2025 M92 MPH Sioux IA Public

Personal weather station.

0939 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Sioux Center 43.06N 96.22W
07/28/2025 M99 MPH Sioux IA Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0934 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Orange City 43.00N 96.06W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Emergency Mngr

Trees knocked down by thunderstorm wind
gusts.

0934 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Lester 43.41N 96.33W
07/28/2025 M72 MPH Lyon IA Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0932 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hull 43.19N 96.14W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Public

Social media picture of large limb snapped
from a tree.

0930 PM Tornado 1 E Alvord 43.34N 96.27W
07/28/2025 Lyon IA NWS Storm Survey

Mangled trees south of a convergent cord
damage path.

0930 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Rock Rapids 43.43N 96.17W
07/28/2025 Lyon IA Trained Spotter

Spotter reported a 2-3 foot in diameter live
tree branch down. Time estimated by radar,
with an estimated wind speed of 86 kts.

0930 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Rock Valley 43.20N 96.30W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Trained Spotter

Spotter reported a 2-3 foot in diameter live
tree branch that was broken and down. Time
of occurrence estimated by radar. Radar
estimated winds of 86 kts.

0930 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Rock Valley 43.20N 96.30W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Trained Spotter

Spotter reported a 2-3 foot section of a
live tree down. Radar estimated time of 9:30
CDT and radar estimated wind speed of 86
kts.

0930 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Maurice 42.98N 96.17W
07/28/2025 M61 MPH Sioux IA AWOS

AWOS station KSXK 1 NE Maurice.

0930 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSW Hawarden 42.99N 96.49W
07/28/2025 M65 MPH Sioux IA Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0926 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sioux Center 43.08N 96.17W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Emergency Mngr

Trees knocked down by thunderstorm wind
gusts.

0922 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 8 NNW Ireton 43.08N 96.35W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Emergency Mngr

EM reports a tree with a roughly 5 foot
diameter knocked down. Tree appears at least
partially rotted from photos.

0919 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Beresford 43.04N 96.80W
07/28/2025 M67 MPH Union SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0913 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Beresford 43.04N 96.80W
07/28/2025 M75 MPH Union SD Mesonet

Mesonet station 16 SD RWIS Beresford.

0910 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hawarden 43.00N 96.48W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Emergency Mngr

Trees knocked down by thunderstorm wind
gusts.

0910 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hawarden 43.00N 96.48W
07/28/2025 Sioux IA Emergency Mngr

Trees knocked down by thunderstorm wind
gusts.

0909 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Harrisburg 43.44N 96.69W
07/28/2025 M68 MPH Lincoln SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0902 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Alcester 43.02N 96.63W
07/28/2025 Union SD Emergency Mngr

Tree and powerline damage.

0859 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 N Beresford 43.16N 96.77W
07/28/2025 Lincoln SD Law Enforcement

200-foot cell tower was destroyed by winds
estimated at least 90 mph.

0859 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNW Sioux Falls 43.58N 96.75W
07/28/2025 M66 MPH Minnehaha SD ASOS

ASOS station KFSD Sioux Falls Airport.

0857 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Parker 43.37N 97.08W
07/28/2025 M85 MPH Turner SD Mesonet

Mesonet station 310 SD RWIS Parker.

0856 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Tea 43.47N 96.84W
07/28/2025 M68 MPH Lincoln SD Public

Personal weather station.

0855 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSE Centerville 43.04N 96.90W
07/28/2025 M77 MPH Clay SD Mesonet

Mesonet station BFMS2 Beresford 7 WSW.

0853 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Beresford 43.08N 96.78W
07/28/2025 Union SD Emergency Mngr

Tree and powerline damage.

0853 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Davis 43.29N 96.97W
07/28/2025 Turner SD Emergency Mngr

Thunderstorm wind gusts tore the roof off a
house and uprooted a large tree. Time
estimated from radar.

0851 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Irene 43.08N 97.08W
07/28/2025 M87 MPH Turner SD Mesonet

Mesonet station 320 SD RWIS IRENE.

0851 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Sioux Falls 43.53N 96.83W
07/28/2025 M62 MPH Minnehaha SD Mesonet

Personal weather stataion.

0849 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 W Sioux Falls 43.53N 96.82W
07/28/2025 Minnehaha SD Public

Large tree limbs broken down by winds
estimated at 65 mph.

0848 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNE Tea 43.50N 96.81W
07/28/2025 M60 MPH Minnehaha SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0836 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Irene 43.08N 97.16W
07/28/2025 M66 MPH Turner SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0829 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NNE Monroe 43.56N 97.16W
07/28/2025 M64 MPH McCook SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0825 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Menno 43.21N 97.45W
07/28/2025 M62 MPH Hutchinson SD Mesonet

Mesonet station MNMS2 Menno 7ESE.

0818 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 7 NE Lesterville 43.10N 97.48W
07/28/2025 M60 MPH Yankton SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0805 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Scotland 43.10N 97.72W
07/28/2025 M63 MPH Bon Homme SD Mesonet

Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
from 3 S Scotland. Mesonet station DVI02596
Scotland.

0759 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Scotland 43.16N 97.76W
07/28/2025 M72 MPH Bon Homme SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0753 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SW Scotland 43.08N 97.81W
07/28/2025 M60 MPH Bon Homme SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0740 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NE Dante 43.08N 98.13W
07/28/2025 M60 MPH Charles Mix SD Mesonet

Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
from 4 NE Dante. Mesonet station 324 SD RWIS
WAGNER.

0740 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Mitchell 43.72N 98.01W
07/28/2025 M55 MPH Davison SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0717 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Wagner 43.09N 98.32W
07/28/2025 M72 MPH Charles Mix SD Mesonet

Personal weather station.

0702 PM Hail 5 SW Plankinton 43.66N 98.54W
07/28/2025 E0.88 Inch Aurora SD Trained Spotter

0646 PM Funnel Cloud White Lake 43.73N 98.71W
07/28/2025 Aurora SD Trained Spotter

Funnel cloud developing right over White
Lake now.

0615 PM Hail Burke 43.18N 99.29W
07/28/2025 M1.75 Inch Gregory SD Trained Spotter

15 minutes of hail varied in size from
quarters to golf balls, with most of them
quarter to half dollar sized.

0601 PM Tornado 3 NNW Bonesteel 43.11N 98.96W
07/28/2025 Gregory SD Storm Chaser

Major damage to a single family residence.
Two nearby outbuildings destroyed.

0435 PM Tornado Dixon 43.38N 99.47W
07/28/2025 Gregory SD Trained Spotter

Confirmed tornado on the ground along
Highway 44 near Dixon.

0428 PM Tornado 1 NW Dixon 43.40N 99.49W
07/28/2025 Gregory SD Storm Chaser

Initial touchdown of tornado which traveled
for 11 miles to east-southeast.

Tornado Photos


Dixon SD Tornado (Credit: Jordan Hall)	Dixon SD Tornado (Credit: Jordan Hall)	North of Bonesteel SD Tornado (Credit: EM Brad Christensen)	North of Bonesteel SD Tornado (Credit: EM Brad Christensen)


Alvord IA Tornado (Credit: Dan Gottschalk)	Alvord IA (Credit: Dan Gottschalk)	Alvord IA (Credit: Dan Gottschalk)	Alvord IA (Credit: Dan Gottschalk)

Wind Damage Photos


South of Davis SD (Credit: Kayla Beaner)	Harrisburg SD (Credit: Kassidy Froderman)	Sioux Falls SD (Credit: Caleb Cooke	Sioux Falls SD (Credit: Brittney Wise)

Wind Damage Photos


Orange City IA (Credit: Ben Choice)	South of Alton IA (Credit: Ams Rasse	George IA (Credit: Sharon Kanengieter	Merriden IA (Credit: Dave KA90ZP)

Wind Damage Photos


Hartley IA (Credit: Heather Hartley)	Linn Grove IA (Credit: Ezra McKenzie Mattila)	Spencer IA (Credit: Ardellle Brehmer Faulkender)	Spencer IA (Credit: Jamie Rusk-Blume)

Wind Damage Photos


Spencer IA (Credit: Steve Grimmius)	Lake Park IA (Credit: Amanda Sether)	Orange City (Credit: Christina Blezien)	Beresford SD (Credit: Stephanie Bartlett)

Additional Information

Severe Thunderstorm Outlook, Watches, and Discussions


SPC Severe Thunderstorm Outlook 1236 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch 345 PM CDT	SPC Mesoscale Discussion 445 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch 656 PM CDT

SPC Mesoscale Discussion 745 PM CDT	SPC Mesoscale Discussion 1015 PM CDT	SPC Mesoscale Discussion 1145 PM CDT

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