Perkins County, South Dakota tornadoes

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46confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: June 21, 2023, EF0. 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 Perkins County

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The record

At a glance

Total461950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune27 of 46
StrongestF2Aug 1, 1964
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

270 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 11Jun: 27Jul: 5Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 27 of 46 tornadoes.

By time of day

160 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 4: 16: 56 PM: 4: 6: 39 PM: 1: 0: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

130 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 21970: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 01980: 13: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 5: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
30
EF1
6
EF2
8
Unknown
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

F2, August 1, 1964

0.8 mile path Longest path

22.85 miles, EF2

May 24, 2010, whole path Widest

440 yards, EF2

May 24, 2010
Every tornado

All 46 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 21, 2023EF01.76 mi50 yd00
May 23, 2021EFU4.26 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2021EFU2.13 mi10 yd00
Jun 21, 2015EF02.58 mi20 yd00
Jun 21, 2015EF00.01 mi40 yd00
Jun 21, 2015EF02.97 mi100 yd00
Jun 21, 2015EF02.05 mi20 yd00
Jun 21, 2015EF05.11 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2010EF00.05 mi30 yd00
May 24, 2010EF28.23 mi440 yd00
May 24, 2010EF222.85 mi440 yd00
May 3, 2003F00.5 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1996F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.5 mi33 yd00
Jul 7, 1993F00.5 mi23 yd00
Jul 7, 1992F11.5 mi30 yd00
May 14, 1991F10.5 mi300 yd00
Jul 18, 1986F00.1 mi40 yd00
Jul 18, 1986F210.5 mi140 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 23, 20265 ENE SorumNot 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.