Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Strong storms threaten much of eastern South Dakota Friday night, as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for 18 counties—including Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Yankton—until 3 a.m. Saturday. Residents could face damaging winds over 60 mph, large hail, and intense lightning as storms sweep across the region.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch covers Bon Homme, Brookings, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Turner, Union, and Yankton counties. Local emergency managers urge caution, especially along I-29, I-90, and rural highways where downed trees and power lines are possible.
In Sioux Falls, winds may down tree limbs and cause scattered outages, while rural areas near Gregory and Charles Mix could see brief flooding on county roads. Travelers are advised to stay off roads during severe storms and monitor local alerts. Residents should secure outdoor objects, charge devices, and have flashlights ready.
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains active through 3 a.m. Saturday. Additional warnings could be issued overnight as storms continue to move east. Stay tuned to local weather updates for the latest information.
