Lincoln County, South Dakota tornadoes

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60confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 28, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Fromto

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 Lincoln County

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The record

At a glance

Total601950 to 2025

Per year0.8average since 1950

Peak monthJune26 of 60

StrongestF3Jun 19, 1954

Deaths2whole paths, see note

Injuries16whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

June is the peak month, with 26 of 60 tornadoes.

By time of day

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0

EF1

EF2

EF3

Unknown

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

All 60 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
Date	Rating	Path length	Width	Deaths	Injuries
Jul 28, 2025	EF0	3.29 mi	30 yd	0	0
Aug 28, 2021	EFU	1.1 mi	30 yd	0	0
Aug 28, 2021	EFU	1.6 mi	20 yd	0	0
Aug 28, 2021	EFU	0.9 mi	20 yd	0	0
Aug 28, 2021	EF1	2.25 mi	150 yd	0	0
Sep 10, 2019	EF2	0.63 mi	50 yd	0	8
Sep 10, 2019	EF2	0.9 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2016	EF0	0.09 mi	25 yd	0	0
Jun 5, 2014	EF0	0.4 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.2 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.2 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.2 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.2 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.2 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 28, 2004	F0	0.4 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.9 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.8 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	1.2 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	1.5 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	2.3 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F1	1.3 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.8 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.6 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F1	3.5 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F2	7.7 mi	300 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F1	2.8 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.5 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 2003	F0	1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 27, 2001	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 27, 2001	F0	0.4 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 27, 2001	F0	1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 27, 2001	F1	1 mi	85 yd	0	0
May 15, 2000	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 9, 1998	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 7, 1997	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 7, 1997	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 7, 1997	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 25, 1994	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 7, 1993	F2	15 mi	100 yd	0	1
May 7, 1993	F2	15 mi	100 yd	0	0
Apr 26, 1986	F2	5 mi	40 yd	0	0
Apr 26, 1986	F2	12 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jul 17, 1980	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 15, 1973	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 28, 1972	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	1
Jun 3, 1971	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jul 14, 1970	F2	3.8 mi	10 yd	1	1
Jul 1, 1970	F2	2.3 mi	1,320 yd	0	0
Jun 28, 1969	F1	2 mi	10 yd	0	4
Jun 21, 1968	F2	16.4 mi	30 yd	0	1
Jun 7, 1965	F2	8.6 mi	210 yd	0	0
Jun 7, 1965	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	1	0
May 24, 1965	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 22, 1964	F2	10 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 22, 1964	F2	16.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 21, 1962	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 11, 1959	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 19, 1954	F3	0.1 mi	43 yd	0	0

This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report date	Location	Rating
May 31, 2026	5 NE Centerville	Not 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.

Cities

Cities in Lincoln County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Sioux Falls 33

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.