Butte County, South Dakota tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 6, 2024, EFU. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly6 of 17
StrongestF3Jul 18, 1963
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 4Jun: 3Jul: 6Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 6 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 1: 13 PM: 0: 2: 16 PM: 3: 2: 29 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 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
9
EF1
4
EF2
1
EF3
1
Unknown
2

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, July 18, 1963

2.3 mile path Longest path

10.5 miles, EFU

May 6, 2024, whole path Widest

177 yards, F2

September 20, 1955
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 6, 2024EFU10.5 mi10 yd00
May 6, 2024EFU3.45 mi10 yd00
Jul 23, 2020EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 2011EF00.01 mi10 yd00
May 15, 1999F02 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.2 mi30 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.2 mi33 yd00
Jun 13, 1992F07 mi23 yd00
Sep 24, 1986F13 mi40 yd00
Jul 2, 1980F05.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 26, 1977F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 25, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 25, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1963F32.3 mi10 yd00
May 10, 1961F12 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 1957F10.1 mi10 yd01
Sep 20, 1955F21.3 mi177 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 12, 2026.