Clay County, South Dakota tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: May 15, 2021, 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 Clay County

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The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune18 of 31
StrongestF2May 8, 1965
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

180 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 8Jun: 18Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 18 of 31 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 1: 2: 76 PM: 9: 3: 29 PM: 1: 2: 112 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

80 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 2: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 8: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 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
17
EF1
7
EF2
6
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

F2, May 8, 1965

4.5 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F1

August 12, 1985, whole path Widest

210 yards, F2

June 7, 1965
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 15, 2021EFU1.29 mi25 yd00
May 29, 2008EF11.91 mi100 yd00
May 29, 2008EF12.03 mi100 yd00
May 29, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F11.5 mi200 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F02 mi100 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.7 mi100 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F01 mi100 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 3, 2000F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F00.5 mi23 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F19 mi60 yd00
May 20, 1988F01 mi40 yd00
Jul 28, 1986F00.2 mi40 yd00
Jun 21, 1986F10.2 mi23 yd00
Aug 12, 1985F120 mi30 yd00
Apr 20, 1985F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 11, 1984F20.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 26, 1981F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 29, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 15, 1970F00.1 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.