Custer County, South Dakota tornadoes

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14confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: May 23, 2021, EF1. 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.

The record

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJune6 of 14
StrongestF2Jun 22, 1961
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 Custer County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

June is the peak month, with 6 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 3: 4: 06 PM: 2: 1: 19 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 2: 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
6
EF1
5
EF2
3

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, June 22, 1961

0.1 mile path Longest path

6.6 miles, EF1

May 23, 2021, whole path Widest

200 yards, F2

June 22, 1966
Every tornado

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 23, 2021EF15.86 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2021EF16.6 mi20 yd00
Jul 3, 2019EF04.67 mi50 yd00
Aug 30, 2013EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 2012EF10.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 7, 2001F01 mi25 yd00
Jun 29, 1994F00.3 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 5, 1993F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 15, 1969F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1966F20.1 mi200 yd00
Jun 11, 1965F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 1962F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1961F20.1 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 12, 2026.