Hand County, South Dakota tornadoes

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45confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: July 25, 2023, EF0. 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 Hand County

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The record

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune26 of 45
StrongestF3Jul 3, 1971
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries12whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

260 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 3Jun: 26Jul: 7Aug: 6Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 26 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 3: 23 PM: 6: 5: 66 PM: 9: 5: 49 PM: 2: 0: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 3: 0: 0: 2: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 0: 1: 22010: 0: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 3: 3: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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
29
EF1
6
EF2
8
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

EF2, August 30, 2020

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, July 3, 1971

0.1 mile path Longest path

24.5 miles, F3

August 24, 2006, whole path Widest

500 yards, F3

August 24, 2006
Every tornado

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 25, 2023EF00.06 mi10 yd00
Aug 30, 2020EF21.6 mi300 yd10
Jul 18, 2018EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 2018EF00.08 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 2018EF00.43 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF10.25 mi175 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF00.12 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 2014EF00.21 mi75 yd00
May 30, 2014EF03.65 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 2013EF00.21 mi25 yd00
Jun 14, 2011EF00.11 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 2011EF00.24 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF03.62 mi100 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF00.71 mi25 yd00
Jul 17, 2008EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Aug 24, 2006F324.5 mi500 yd02
Aug 24, 2006F25 mi300 yd00
Jun 24, 2006F00.5 mi10 yd00
Aug 17, 2005F0n/a10 yd00
Jun 24, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 17, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 4, 1994F010 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 7, 1993F00.1 mi30 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.