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Severe Thunderstorms in the Southeast U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Central and Southern Plains

Scattered severe thunderstorms remain possible this afternoon and evening across parts of southern Georgia into north and west-central Florida. Both damaging winds and a few tornadoes may occur. Gusty to high winds and low relative humidity will bring critical fire weather to the central and southern Plains today into Tuesday. Read More >

Overview

A strong low pressure system moved across the Northern Plains on Monday, March 29th, 2021, and brought a period of very strong winds to the region. Strong west to southwest winds developed Sunday night, then shifted to the northwest on Monday as a vigorous cold front swept through. The strongest wind gust of 81 mph was measured Monday morning on the south side of Rapid City. In addition, very dry air combined with the strong winds and dry vegetation led to multiple fires in the Black Hills and prairies, with the Schroeder Fire infringing on the western edge of Rapid City and the Divide Fire in Perkins County.

The image to the right shows the wind observations at the NWS office near downtown Rapid City for March 29th.
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NWS Rapid City Wind Observations
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