Lawrence County, South Dakota tornadoes

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22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: July 10, 2020, 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Lawrence County

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The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune9 of 22
StrongestF3Jul 12, 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 Lawrence County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 9Jul: 7Aug: 4Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 9 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 1: 4: 26 PM: 5: 1: 39 PM: 1: 1: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 21970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 22000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 2: 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
6
EF1
9
EF2
5
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

Strongest

F3, July 12, 1965

20.8 mile path Longest path

20.8 miles, F3

July 12, 1965, whole path Widest

1,400 yards, F3

July 12, 1965
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 10, 2020EF114.81 mi250 yd00
Jul 6, 2020EF25.05 mi770 yd00
Jun 29, 2018EF17.07 mi200 yd00
Aug 8, 2015EF11.45 mi33 yd00
Jun 16, 2007EF14.03 mi70 yd00
Jun 27, 1999F12 mi50 yd00
May 15, 1999F02 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 12, 1993F22 mi40 yd00
Jun 29, 1993F33 mi150 yd00
May 14, 1991F04 mi150 yd00
Aug 7, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 25, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 23, 1969F20.2 mi33 yd00
Jul 7, 1969F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 20, 1968F213.1 mi100 yd00
Jul 12, 1965F320.8 mi1,400 yd00
Jun 3, 1963F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 1962F11.9 mi440 yd00
Jul 15, 1954F10.3 mi20 yd00
Aug 4, 1953F12 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.