Roberts County, South Dakota tornadoes

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32confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: June 1, 2023, 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 Roberts County

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The record

At a glance

Total321950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune13 of 32
StrongestF3May 17, 1996
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 7Jun: 13Jul: 4Aug: 2Sep: 1Oct: 5Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 13 of 32 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 3: 43 PM: 1: 4: 66 PM: 3: 4: 49 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 31980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 1: 2: 0: 2: 0: 4: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 02020: 0: 3: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
7
EF2
4
EF3
1

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

F1, June 19, 1979

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, May 17, 1996

18 mile path Longest path

20.5 miles, F2

August 3, 1979, whole path Widest

220 yards, F0

May 28, 1979
Every tornado

All 32 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 1, 2023EF00.01 mi10 yd00
May 12, 2022EF00.33 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF00.09 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF02.35 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2018EF00.04 mi5 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF00.13 mi90 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF10.36 mi100 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF05.43 mi15 yd00
Jun 17, 2012EF10.28 mi10 yd00
Jun 17, 2012EF00.01 mi5 yd00
Sep 23, 2004F22.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 26, 1996F00.5 mi25 yd00
May 17, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1996F318 mi200 yd00
May 17, 1996F00.4 mi15 yd00
Oct 6, 1994F18 mi100 yd00
Aug 23, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1992F10.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 22, 1992F00.3 mi23 yd00
Jul 17, 1991F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 1988F00.5 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1979F220.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1979F10.1 mi10 yd10
May 28, 1979F00.1 mi220 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.