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Multiple Days of Severe Weather from Thunderstorms and Wildfires

Active spring pattern across the center of the nation with several rounds of severe thunderstorms in the forecast through the weekend. The regions under the greatest threats are the southern Plains into the Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, dry and breezy conditions with dry fuels are aiding in wildfires across the western High Plains and the Southeast. Wind and some snow for northern Rockies. Read More >

Overview

During the evening of July 13, 2024, a cluster of supercells moving southeastward out of Montana merged into a line of significantly severe thunderstorms that brought destructive winds to much of western and central South Dakota. Widespread measured wind gusts of 80 mph or greater were recorded from near the Montana/South Dakota state line eastward to near the Missouri River, with the highest gusts of over 100 mph observed in Butte County.

The Storm Prediction Center classified this line of storms as a "derecho", a term reserved for especially widespread, long-lived, and significant wind storms.

Image
Wind damage from 7 miles west of Redig, SD
(courtesy Ashley Secrest)
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