Sully County, South Dakota tornadoes

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22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: October 13, 2021, 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 Sully County

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The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 22
StrongestF2Oct 1, 1971
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 Sully County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 6Jun: 5Jul: 2Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 6 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 1: 03 PM: 3: 2: 16 PM: 7: 2: 19 PM: 1: 1: 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 3: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 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
17
EF1
4
EF2
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

Strongest

F2, October 1, 1971

0.5 mile path Longest path

5 miles, F1

August 24, 2006, whole path Widest

600 yards, F1

August 24, 2006
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 13, 2021EF00.24 mi10 yd00
Aug 24, 2006F15 mi600 yd00
Jun 24, 2006F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 11, 2003F00.4 mi25 yd00
Jul 22, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 29, 1993F00.2 mi20 yd00
Aug 29, 1993F00.2 mi20 yd00
Aug 29, 1993F00.2 mi20 yd00
Aug 11, 1987F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 16, 1982F10.3 mi30 yd00
Jun 6, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 6, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 10, 1976F01 mi10 yd00
May 7, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 7, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 7, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 27, 1974F10.1 mi20 yd01
May 26, 1972F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 1, 1971F20.5 mi300 yd00
Aug 4, 1968F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 14, 1965F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1965F10.1 mi10 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.