Harding County, South Dakota tornadoes

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22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: June 28, 2018, EF2. 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 Harding County

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The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJuly10 of 22
StrongestF4Jul 7, 1969
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 Harding County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 1Jun: 9Jul: 10Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 10 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 3: 2: 26 PM: 2: 1: 59 PM: 1: 5: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 8:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 4: 02020: 0: 0: 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
12
EF1
5
EF2
2
EF3
1
EF4
1
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

F4, July 7, 1969

1.8 mile path Longest path

19 miles, F0

July 7, 2005, whole path Widest

900 yards, EF3

June 28, 2018
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 28, 2018EF27.05 mi300 yd00
Jun 28, 2018EFU2.69 mi200 yd00
Jun 28, 2018EF22.3 mi100 yd00
Jun 28, 2018EF33.59 mi900 yd00
Jun 30, 2015EF13.85 mi80 yd00
Jul 18, 2011EF19.77 mi100 yd00
Jun 12, 2011EF02.13 mi10 yd00
Jul 7, 2005F02 mi10 yd00
Jul 7, 2005F019 mi10 yd00
Aug 8, 2002F01 mi25 yd00
Jun 20, 1999F12 mi400 yd00
Jul 24, 1992F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 24, 1992F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 24, 1992F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 12, 1970F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 15, 1969F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 7, 1969F41.8 mi133 yd00
May 11, 1964F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 9, 1962F110.4 mi20 yd00
Jul 9, 1962F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 8, 1957F10.1 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.