Sioux Falls, South Dakota – A multi-state severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect through 10 p.m. Monday, putting parts of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska at risk for damaging storms this evening.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Sioux Falls and Omaha, the watch includes cities such as Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Yankton, Worthington, and Spencer. Storms developing across the region could produce wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail as large as tennis balls, and a few tornadoes.
The watch area includes more than 550,000 residents, along with hundreds of schools and critical infrastructure, increasing the urgency as storms track east-northeast through the evening hours.
Travel along I-29 and surrounding highways may become hazardous as storms intensify, with sudden drops in visibility and debris possible from strong winds. Power outages and localized damage cannot be ruled out in the hardest-hit areas.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, charge devices, and monitor alerts closely. Conditions can change quickly under a watch, and warnings may be issued with little lead time as storms strengthen through the evening.
