National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Sioux Falls, SD

Weather Forecast Office

Damaging Winds in the Region - May 17th, 2026

Weather.gov > Sioux Falls, SD > Damaging Winds in the Region - May 17th, 2026

Overview

Multiple rounds of severe storms impacted the region on Sunday May 17th, 2026. Initially a few severe thunderstorms developed in south central South Dakota Sunday afternoon. This activity merged into a line of storms, producing hail up to golf ball size, up to 80 mph wind gusts, and a few brief tornadoes, tracking northeast from Burke and Wagner, SD to Sioux Falls to Worthington, MN. 

Farther south, another line of severe storms tracked northeast through northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa Sunday evening. This round of storms produced several brief tornadoes and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph with a few gusts approaching 90 mph across a swath from near Sioux City and Salix, Iowa to Kingsley, Cherokee, and Milford, IA. Flash flooding from multiple rounds of rain brought water over roads in Le Mars, IA as well. Local graduation ceremonies and celebrations were disrupted due to the coverage and timing of the storms.

Radar reflectivity loop of severe storms, watches, and warnings across the region on Sunday May 17th, 2026
Regional Radar Loop from Sunday May 17th, 2026
Map of Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings from Sunday May 17 2026 Preliminary map of wind, hail, and tornado reports Tornado Watch for much of the region issued around 145 PM and in effect through 10 PM CDT
Warnings Issued from May 17th, 2026 - 
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Gold) and Tornado Warnings (Red)		 Preliminary Storm Reports from May 17th, 2026 Tornado Watch #213 through 10 PM CDT

Tornadoes

Select a tornado from the table to zoom into the track and view more information. The default table view is limited to 8 tracks, but can be scrolled by a mouse wheel or dynamically expanded. Additionally, the table can fill the entire window by clicking the small circular expanding arrow icon at the very top right of the table and returned to its original size by clicking the button again. The side information panel that opens over the map can be closed using the "X" on the upper right corner of the pop-up. Zoom into the map and click damage points to see detailed information and pictures from the surveys.


 

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

Photos & Video

Several brief tornadoes occurred on the leading edge of the wind with the storms. 
 

Tornado near Davis SD Tornado near Sioux City, IA Tornado near Sgt Bluff Tornado south of Sergeant Bluff
Tornado near Davis, SD
(Credit: NA)		 Tornado near Whispering Creek area in Sioux City, IA
(Credit: Kristi Meekma)		 Tornado south of Sergeant Bluff, IA
(Credit: Curtis Meyers)		 Tornado south of Sergeant Bluff, IA
(Credit: Phillip Schauer)

Tornado near Davis SD Tornado near Marcus, IA Tornado near Marcus Photo
Tornado south of Sergeant Bluff, IA
(Credit: Jacob Skoglund)		 Tornado south of Marcus, IA
(Credit: Kane Carlson)		 Tornado south of Marcus, IA
(Credit: Brian Oldenkamp)		 Caption
(source)

Radar

Notable radar images from Sunday May 17th, 2026

KFSD radar base reflectivity and velocity at 407 pm Sunday may 17th, 2026 KFSD radar base reflectivity and velocity at 616 pm Sunday may 17th, 2026 KFSD radar base reflectivity and velocity at 730 pm Sunday may 17th, 2026 KFSD radar base reflectivity and velocity at 829 pm Sunday may 17th, 2026
KFSD Radar Reflectivity and Velocity near Davis, SD at 407 PM KFSD Radar Reflectivity and Velocity near Worthington, MN around 615 PM KFSD Radar Reflectivity and Velocity near Salix, IA at 730 PM KFSD Radar Reflectivity and Velocity near Meriden and Cherokee, IA at 829 PM

Wind & Hail

Wind and/or tornado damage was the main hazard from storms on Sunday May 17th. A few locations did receive quarter to golf ball sized hail. Le Mars, Iowa saw flash flooding with water on streets.

Wind

Wind gusts of up to 82 mph were reported with Sunday's storm, producing extensive tree damage in several communities.

 

Wind damage east of Alexandria, SD Wind damage in Pierson IA Wind damage northwest of Salix IA Wind damage in Greenville IA
Wind damage east of Alexandria, SD (Credit: Eli Butler) Trees damaged in Pierson, IA
(Credit: Kyle Knaack)		 Wind damage northwest of Salix IA (Credit: NWS) Wind damage in Greenville, IA
(Credit: Eric Tigges)

Wind damage east of Alexandria, SD Wind damage near Salix IA Wind damage near Salix IA Wind damage in Greenville IA
Wind damage north of Moville, IA (Credit: Blake Stratton) Wind damage near Salix, IA
(Credit: NWS)		 Wind damage near Salix IA (Credit:NWS) Wind damage west of Washta, IA
(Credit: Rachel Sokolowski)

Hail and Flash Flooding

Hail up to golf ball size was reported with Sunday's storms. Le Mars also saw street flooding. 

 

Hail near golfball size southwest of Craig, IA Hail near Worthington Radar/Photo
Large hail southwest of Craig, IA
(Credit: Tonia Feeney Rood)		 Large hail near Worthington, MN
(Credit: Milo Hawkingson)		 Caption

Environment and Additional Information 

The environment was highly favorable for severe weather with large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes on Sunday. 

A surface analysis map from 4 PM Sunday shows frontal positions as severe weather developed SPC Significant Tornado Parameter at 4 PM Sunday SPC analysis at 4 PM shows strong instability and shear contributed to severe weather Sunday
WPC 4 PM Surface Analysis shows several fronts in the region SPC Mesoanalysis at 4 PM shows a high Significant Tornado Parameter SPC Mesoanalysis at 4 PM shows strong instability and shear contributed to severe weather threat


Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Outlooks

Storm Prediction Center Day 1 severe weather outlook was a level 3 of 5 Enhanced across much of the region Storm Prediction Center Day 2 severe weather outlook was a level 3 of 5 Enhanced across much of the region Storm Prediction Center Day 3 severe weather outlook was a level 3 of 5 Enhanced across much of the region
SPC Day 1 Severe Weather Outlook SPC Day 2 Severe Weather Outlook SPC Day 3 Severe Weather Outlook


Severe Weather Mesoscale Discussions

SPC Mesoscale Discussion issued 1158 AM shows radar images of storms tracking through south central South Dakota. SPC Mesoscale Discussion issued at 111 PM shows radar images of storms tracking through south central South Dakota, highlighting southeast South Dakota for future severe storms. SPC Mesoscale Discussion issued at 331 PM shows radar images of storms tracking through southeast South Dakota, highlighting southeast South Dakota, far northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota for future severe storms.
SPC Mesoscale Discussion #748 issued 1158 AM SPC Mesoscale Discussion #748 issued 111 PM SPC Mesoscale Discussion #748 issued 331 PM

Storm Reports

 

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
304 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

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

0305 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 S Tripp               43.16N 97.97W
05/17/2026                   Bon Homme          SD   Public

            Farm out-buildings severely damaged and 5th
            wheel camper overturned.

0315 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 S Tyndall             42.96N 97.86W
05/17/2026                   Bon Homme          SD   Trained Spotter

            65 to 70 mph downed small trees. Quarter
            sized hail also occurred.

0316 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WNW Scotland          43.16N 97.76W
05/17/2026  M60 MPH          Bon Homme          SD   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0324 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 N Mitchell            43.77N 98.04W
05/17/2026  M59 MPH          Davison            SD   ASOS

            ASOS station KMHE Mitchell Municipal
            Airport.

0336 PM     Hail             6 ESE Menno             43.20N 97.48W
05/17/2026  E1.75 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

            Photo of roughly golf ball size hail. Time
            estimated via radar.

0336 PM     Hail             3 E Menno               43.22N 97.51W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

            Corrects time of previous hail report from 3
            E Menno. Via mping. Time estimated via
            radar.

0337 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 E Menno               43.24N 97.45W
05/17/2026                   Hutchinson         SD   Emergency Mngr

            Large garage door on outbuilding bowed in.
            Time estimated from radar.

0338 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     7 ESE Menno             43.21N 97.45W
05/17/2026  M81 MPH          Hutchinson         SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station MNMS2 Menno 7ESE (SD
            Mesonet).

0342 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     8 S Freeman             43.24N 97.42W
05/17/2026                   Hutchinson         SD   Emergency Mngr

            Damage to large road signs near intersection
            of Hwy 18/81.

0342 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 S Freeman             43.28N 97.42W
05/17/2026  M82 MPH          Hutchinson         SD   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 163 SD RWIS Freeman.

0344 PM     Hail             3 E Menno               43.22N 97.51W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Hutchinson         SD   Public

            Via mping. Time estimated via radar.

0344 PM     Hail             7 N Mayfield            43.18N 97.34W
05/17/2026  E1.00 Inch       Turner             SD   Public

            Via mping. Time estimated via radar.

0347 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     9 W Hurley              43.26N 97.27W
05/17/2026  E60 MPH          Turner             SD   Trained Spotter

            Spotter estimated 50-60 mph winds along with
            half dollar size hail.

0406 PM     Tornado          2 W Davis               43.26N 97.03W
05/17/2026                   Turner             SD   Public

            Video via social media of brief gustnado.
            Location estimated.

0409 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 E Parker              43.39N 97.08W
05/17/2026                   Turner             SD   Public

            Power poles snapped and irrigation pivots
            flipped near the intersection of 276th St
            and 456th Ave. Time estimated from radar.

0414 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 S Chancellor          43.36N 96.99W
05/17/2026  M60 MPH          Turner             SD   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0415 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Chancellor              43.38N 96.98W
05/17/2026                   Turner             SD   Public

            70 mph caused downed tree branches.

0417 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ENE Chancellor        43.39N 96.94W
05/17/2026  M70 MPH          Turner             SD   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0417 PM     Hail             2 W Lennox              43.35N 96.93W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Turner             SD   Public

            Quarter size hail along with estimated 40-50
            mph winds reported.

0432 PM     Hail             5 W Sioux Falls         43.53N 96.84W
05/17/2026  E1.00 Inch       Minnehaha          SD   Public

            Report from mPING.

0436 PM     Hail             4 NW Harrisburg         43.48N 96.75W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Lincoln            SD   Emergency Mngr

            Report from 85th and Western of quarter size
            hail.

0438 PM     Hail             Tea                     43.45N 96.84W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Lincoln            SD   Public



0445 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SE Sioux Falls        43.52N 96.71W
05/17/2026                   Minnehaha          SD   Public

            Large tree limbs down.

0447 PM     Hail             4 SSE Sioux Falls       43.49N 96.71W
05/17/2026  M1.50 Inch       Lincoln            SD   Trained Spotter



0502 PM     Hail             Valley Springs          43.59N 96.46W
05/17/2026  E1.00 Inch       Minnehaha          SD   Public



0514 PM     Hail             3 NE Lester             43.46N 96.29W
05/17/2026  E1.25 Inch       Lyon               IA   Public

            Social media report with picture and coin
            for size comparison. Time estimated by
            radar.

0518 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 WSW Beaver Creek      43.61N 96.38W
05/17/2026  M58 MPH          Rock               MN   Mesonet

            Mesonet station MN006 I-90 - Beaver Creek Mp
            4.

0526 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 S Luverne             43.62N 96.22W
05/17/2026  M66 MPH          Rock               MN   AWOS

            AWOS station KLYV Luverne Airport.

0536 PM     Hail             3 SW Magnolia           43.60N 96.09W
05/17/2026  M1.25 Inch       Rock               MN   Public

            Report from mPING.

0544 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 NE Adrian             43.68N 95.89W
05/17/2026  M62 MPH          Nobles             MN   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0548 PM     Funnel Cloud     3 S Lismore             43.70N 95.96W
05/17/2026                   Nobles             MN   Public

            Rain wrapped funnel observed from I-90
            looking north toward Lismore. Could not
            confirm ground contact.

0550 PM     Hail             1 N Adrian              43.65N 95.93W
05/17/2026  M1.50 Inch       Nobles             MN   Law Enforcement



0551 PM     Hail             Rock Valley             43.20N 96.30W
05/17/2026  M0.75 Inch       Sioux              IA   Public

            mPING: Dime (0.75 in.). Time estimated via
            radar.

0554 PM     Hail             Lismore                 43.75N 95.95W
05/17/2026  E1.75 Inch       Nobles             MN   Public



0601 PM     Hail             Wilmont                 43.76N 95.83W
05/17/2026  M1.25 Inch       Nobles             MN   Public

            mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). Time
            estimated via radar.

0601 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Florence                44.24N 96.05W
05/17/2026  M60 MPH          Lyon               MN   Mesonet

            Mesonet station MN160 U.s.14 - Florence - Mp
            21.2. Time estimated via radar.

0615 PM     Tornado          3 SW Worthington        43.60N 95.64W
05/17/2026                   Nobles             MN   Trained Spotter

            Unconfirmed report of tornado approximately
            1 mile southwest of Worthington. Debris
            currently being observed.

0618 PM     Hail             5 SW Worthington        43.57N 95.65W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Nobles             MN   Public

            Report from mPING: Time estimated via radar.

0622 PM     Hail             2 S Fulda               43.84N 95.59W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Nobles             MN   Public

            mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). Time estimated
            via radar.

0624 PM     Hail             Fulda                   43.87N 95.60W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Murray             MN   Public

            Picture with 1 inch hailstone and ruler.

0626 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ENE Worthington       43.63N 95.57W
05/17/2026  M55 MPH          Nobles             MN   AWOS

            AWOS station KOTG Worthington Airport.

0626 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNE Worthington       43.65N 95.59W
05/17/2026  M59 MPH          Nobles             MN   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0636 PM     Hail             Sibley                  43.41N 95.75W
05/17/2026  E0.75 Inch       Osceola            IA   Public

            Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.). Time
            estimated via radar.

0643 PM     Hail             3 SW Craig              42.87N 96.35W
05/17/2026  M1.75 Inch       Plymouth           IA   Public

            Photo via social media. Time estimated via
            radar.

0650 PM     Hail             Craig                   42.90N 96.31W
05/17/2026  E1.25 Inch       Plymouth           IA   Public

            Photo via social media. Time estimated by
            radar.

0723 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SE Sioux City         42.49N 96.37W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Trained Spotter

            Tree branches 10-12 inches in diameter
            downed. Time estimated from radar.

0729 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WSW Salix             42.30N 96.32W
05/17/2026  M69 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0731 PM     Tornado          Salix                   42.31N 96.29W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency manager reports tornado near
            Salix.

0732 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 SE Sioux City         42.47N 96.36W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Public

            Several photos via social media of large
            tree branches down in the Morningside
            neighborhood.

0732 PM     Tornado          3 SE Sergeant Bluff     42.36N 96.32W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Public

            Several videos via social media of brief
            gustnado. Location estimated.

0735 PM     Tornado          3 NE Sergeant Bluff     42.43N 96.31W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Public

            Several videos via social media of brief
            gustnado. Location estimated.

0736 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 NNE Sergeant Bluff    42.46N 96.31W
05/17/2026  M66 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0748 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Lawton                  42.48N 96.19W
05/17/2026  M67 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0749 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Moville                 42.49N 96.06W
05/17/2026  M63 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0750 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Moville                 42.49N 96.06W
05/17/2026  M77 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0751 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Moville                 42.49N 96.07W
05/17/2026                   Woodbury           IA   Public

            Several videos and photos via social media
            of large trees down, including some on
            houses or other structures.

0754 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 W Correctionville     42.48N 95.86W
05/17/2026  E74 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0756 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 NE Moville            42.52N 96.03W
05/17/2026  M75 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0757 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SW Pierson            42.53N 95.88W
05/17/2026  M74 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0757 PM     Tornado          5 NW Kingsley           42.63N 96.04W
05/17/2026                   Plymouth           IA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Kingsley Fire reported brief tornado near
            C60 and Pioneer Ave.

0803 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NE Pierson            42.58N 95.84W
05/17/2026                   Cherokee           IA   Public

            Photos via social media of destroyed
            outbuilding and tree damage 6 miles west of
            Washta.

0803 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Correctionville         42.48N 95.79W
05/17/2026  M88 MPH          Woodbury           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0809 PM     Hail             3 S Sanborn             43.14N 95.66W
05/17/2026  M1.75 Inch       O`Brien            IA   Public

            Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).

0812 PM     Tornado          7 S Marcus              42.73N 95.81W
05/17/2026                   Cherokee           IA   Public

            Video of brief gustnado. Location estimated.

0816 PM     Flash Flood      1 WSW Le Mars           42.78N 96.18W
05/17/2026                   Plymouth           IA   Law Enforcement

            911 dispatch reports a couple of different
            flooded roads in Le Mars including portions
            of Holton Dr as well as 5th Ave.

0822 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNW Ida Grove         42.35N 95.48W
05/17/2026  M59 MPH          Ida                IA   Mesonet

            Mesonet station RIGI4 Ida Grove.

0825 PM     Tornado          3 W Cherokee            42.74N 95.61W
05/17/2026                   Cherokee           IA   Public

            A couple of videos via social media of brief
            gustnado. Location estimated.

0829 PM     Tornado          3 NE Meriden            42.82N 95.59W
05/17/2026                   Cherokee           IA   Storm Chaser

            Storm chasers reported a brief tornado on
            the ground 2 to 3 minutes. Time and location
            confirmed with radar.

0829 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 S Cherokee            42.73N 95.55W
05/17/2026  M62 MPH          Cherokee           IA   AWOS

            AWOS station KCKP Cherokee Municipal
            Airport.

0829 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     6 N Cleghorn            42.89N 95.70W
05/17/2026  M62 MPH          Cherokee           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

0831 PM     Tornado          5 WSW Royal             43.04N 95.38W
05/17/2026                   Clay               IA   Public

            Social media video relayed by emergency
            manager of brief tornado. Location
            estimated.

0831 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Meriden                 42.80N 95.63W
05/17/2026  M60 MPH          Cherokee           IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0835 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 WSW Lakeside          42.60N 95.22W
05/17/2026  M59 MPH          Buena Vista        IA   AWOS

            AWOS station KSLB Storm Lake Airport.

0848 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 S Albert City         42.73N 94.95W
05/17/2026  M72 MPH          Buena Vista        IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0849 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Greenville              43.02N 95.15W
05/17/2026                   Clay               IA   Emergency Mngr

            Damage to the Greenville grain elevator.
            Branches and power lines also downed. Time
            estimated from radar.

0851 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SSW Albert City       42.77N 94.95W
05/17/2026  M71 MPH          Buena Vista        IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.

0908 PM     Tornado          2 NW Terril             43.33N 95.00W
05/17/2026                   Dickinson          IA   Public

            Viewed on social media.

0912 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 S Arnolds Park        43.35N 95.13W
05/17/2026  M58 MPH          Dickinson          IA   Public

            Via personal weather station.


&&

 

nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.		 nws logo
Follow us on X  Follow us on X
Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube  Follow us on YouTube
FSD RSS Feed  FSD RSS Feed

Popular Pages
Past Weather Events
Regional Weather Roundup
Daily Temp/Precip
Hazardous Weather
Local Climate Archives
Climate Graphs and Data

Need to Know
Text Products
Education
En Español
About Us

Seasonal
EvapoTranspiration
Fire Weather
Grassland Fire Danger
Flooding (River)
Summer Weather
Travel Forecasts
Winter Weather
Winter Preparedness
Forecast Snowfall Graphic
Winter Temp Climatology

City Forecasts
Chamberlain, SD
Brookings, SD
Huron, SD
Mitchell, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Vermillion, SD
Yankton, SD

City Forecasts
Marshall, MN
Pipestone, MN
Windom, MN
Worthington, MN
Sioux City, IA
Spencer, IA
Storm Lake, IA