Clark County, South Dakota tornadoes

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37confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: August 10, 2023, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Clark County

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The record

At a glance

Total371950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune14 of 37
StrongestF3Jun 21, 1961
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries9whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 10Jun: 14Jul: 6Aug: 2Sep: 4Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 14 of 37 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 33 PM: 2: 5: 36 PM: 10: 5: 39 PM: 2: 2: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 1: 1: 3: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 3: 2: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
8
EF2
7
EF3
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

Deadliest

F3, June 21, 1961

1 deaths, 7 injuries Strongest

F3, June 21, 1961

156.3 mile path Longest path

156.3 miles, F3

June 21, 1961, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F3

May 12, 1984
Every tornado

All 37 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 10, 2023EF00.89 mi90 yd00
Jun 7, 2023EF00.01 mi10 yd00
May 12, 2022EF10.49 mi20 yd00
May 12, 2022EF00.02 mi10 yd00
May 12, 2022EF00.32 mi10 yd00
Sep 19, 2017EF00.11 mi10 yd00
Sep 19, 2017EF00.08 mi10 yd00
Jul 16, 2016EF00.06 mi10 yd00
Jun 21, 2013EF00.36 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 2013EF02.34 mi25 yd00
Jun 1, 2012EF00.62 mi10 yd00
Jun 1, 2012EF00.54 mi10 yd00
Jun 1, 2012EF02.38 mi20 yd00
Sep 16, 2006F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 16, 2006F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F11.5 mi300 yd00
May 18, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jun 15, 1992F00.2 mi13 yd00
Aug 16, 1991F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 17, 1985F10.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 5, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 12, 1984F327 mi1,320 yd00
Jul 20, 1982F10.1 mi10 yd02
Jul 10, 1977F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1972F10.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 2, 20265 SW Willow LakeNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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 14, 2026.