Meade County, South Dakota tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: June 2, 2024, EF2. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Meade County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune18 of 49
StrongestF3Jul 18, 1965
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries29whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

180 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 13Jun: 18Jul: 14Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 18 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 5: 23 PM: 5: 5: 66 PM: 7: 4: 79 PM: 3: 0: 412 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

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 3: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 5: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 6: 0: 7: 0: 0: 0: 2: 3: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
31
EF1
10
EF2
6
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 18, 1965

0.1 mile path Longest path

27.4 miles, F1

May 5, 1975, whole path Widest

500 yards, F3

May 11, 1991
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 2, 2024EF24.09 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2023EF00.02 mi20 yd00
Jul 6, 2016EF11.12 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2015EF219.69 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2014EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 2014EF00.1 mi10 yd00
May 24, 2010EF04.86 mi100 yd00
May 24, 2010EF222.25 mi440 yd00
Jul 22, 2001F01 mi10 yd00
Jul 22, 2001F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1998F03 mi150 yd00
Jun 23, 1998F00.1 mi150 yd00
Jun 23, 1998F05 mi200 yd00
Oct 11, 1997F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 1997F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.2 mi30 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.1 mi23 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jul 30, 1993F00.1 mi13 yd00
Jul 26, 1993F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jul 15, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 12, 1993F00.5 mi23 yd00
Jul 21, 1991F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jul 21, 1991F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 1991F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 10, 20268 SSW FaithNot 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.