Brookings County, South Dakota tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: September 23, 2023, EFU. 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 Brookings County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune12 of 35
StrongestF4Jun 7, 1993
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries5whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 9Jun: 12Jul: 5Aug: 4Sep: 5Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 12 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 3: 33 PM: 6: 8: 36 PM: 5: 4: 09 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 31980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 2: 4: 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
17
EF1
9
EF2
2
EF3
1
EF4
1
Unknown
5

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

F4, June 7, 1993

54 mile path Longest path

54 miles, F4

June 7, 1993, whole path Widest

800 yards, F4

June 7, 1993
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 23, 2023EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
Sep 23, 2023EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
Sep 23, 2023EFU0.78 mi20 yd00
Sep 23, 2023EFU0.74 mi20 yd00
May 30, 2022EF10.8 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2022EFU1.67 mi50 yd00
Aug 6, 2015EF00.84 mi50 yd00
Aug 6, 2015EF00.6 mi50 yd00
Sep 16, 2006F00.4 mi50 yd00
Jul 28, 2002F01 mi50 yd00
Jun 9, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 6, 1996F10.2 mi70 yd00
Jul 1, 1993F01 mi40 yd00
Jun 7, 1993F454 mi800 yd05
Aug 9, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F17 mi30 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F34 mi100 yd00
May 8, 1986F00.1 mi13 yd00
May 30, 1985F14 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 26, 1980F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 19, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 19, 1979F00.1 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.