Potter County, South Dakota tornadoes

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20confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: July 26, 2011, EF0. 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 Potter County

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The record

At a glance

Total201950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune9 of 20
StrongestF2Apr 19, 1955
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries2whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 3May: 3Jun: 9Jul: 3Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 9 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 1: 0: 23 PM: 2: 2: 16 PM: 3: 2: 29 PM: 1: 0: 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: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 2: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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
9
EF1
6
EF2
5

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, April 19, 1955

2.3 mile path Longest path

24.6 miles, F2

June 18, 1964, whole path Widest

200 yards, F2

June 18, 1964
Every tornado

All 20 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 26, 2011EF00.14 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF00.53 mi25 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF00.22 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2006F01 mi10 yd00
Jun 11, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
May 21, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1981F10.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1981F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1979F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 6, 1971F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1970F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1966F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1966F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 22, 1965F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1965F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1965F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 1964F224.6 mi200 yd02
Apr 19, 1955F218.2 mi27 yd00
Apr 19, 1955F22.3 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 1955F210.8 mi67 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.