Bennett County, South Dakota tornadoes

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32confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: July 10, 2020, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Bennett County

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The record

At a glance

Total321950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly14 of 32
StrongestF3Aug 6, 1956
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries2whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Bennett County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 2May: 3Jun: 9Jul: 14Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 14 of 32 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 4: 4: 66 PM: 8: 4: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 5: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 42000: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 52020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
6
EF2
3
EF3
2
Unknown
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, August 6, 1956

28.3 mile path Longest path

28.3 miles, F3

August 6, 1956, whole path Widest

1,167 yards, F3

June 6, 1963
Every tornado

All 32 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 10, 2020EF011.54 mi500 yd00
Jul 17, 2019EFU0.01 mi2 yd00
Jul 3, 2019EF00.01 mi7 yd00
Jul 3, 2019EF00.01 mi7 yd00
Jul 3, 2019EF00.01 mi7 yd00
Jun 29, 2019EF15.82 mi720 yd00
Jun 12, 2017EF00.01 mi7 yd00
May 28, 2013EF10.1 mi20 yd01
Jun 6, 2007EF17.16 mi400 yd00
Aug 6, 2004F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 3, 2003F23 mi100 yd00
Jul 25, 2001F01 mi10 yd00
Jun 5, 1999F03 mi100 yd00
Jun 5, 1999F05 mi550 yd00
Jun 5, 1999F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1999F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 26, 1984F17 mi30 yd00
Aug 23, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 19, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 29, 1982F20.2 mi10 yd01
Jul 2, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 10, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 10, 1977F01.9 mi10 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.