Day County, South Dakota tornadoes

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33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 12, 2022, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 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 Day County

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The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune13 of 33
StrongestF2Jun 15, 1953
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 Day County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 4Jun: 13Jul: 9Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 13 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 1: 7: 36 PM: 6: 6: 19 PM: 1: 1: 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 5: 2: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 32020: 0: 2: 1: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
22
EF1
9
EF2
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

F2, June 15, 1953

7.6 mile path Longest path

7.6 miles, F2

June 15, 1953, whole path Widest

150 yards, F2

July 17, 1996
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 12, 2022EF10.12 mi35 yd00
Oct 9, 2021EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Aug 22, 2021EF00.04 mi10 yd00
Sep 9, 2019EF00.19 mi10 yd00
Sep 9, 2019EF11.56 mi80 yd00
Sep 9, 2019EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF10.21 mi40 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF02.02 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF01.69 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 2015EF01.68 mi100 yd00
Jun 24, 2009EF00.31 mi20 yd00
Jul 20, 1998F03 mi30 yd00
Jul 18, 1997F00.3 mi23 yd00
Jul 7, 1997F00.3 mi20 yd00
Jul 17, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 1996F13 mi50 yd00
Jul 17, 1996F25 mi150 yd00
Jul 17, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1996F00.4 mi10 yd00
Oct 6, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 15, 1992F00.5 mi40 yd00
Jul 17, 1985F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 12, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1979F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 25, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd01
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 29, 2026PierpontNot yet rated
Jun 29, 20261 S AndoverNot 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 13, 2026.