Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Powerful winds and extremely dry air could create dangerous fire conditions across southeast South Dakota by Thursday afternoon, with gusts strong enough to damage trees and disrupt power in some communities.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. Thursday, when humidity levels are expected to drop between 25% and 35% while southwest winds gust between 30 and 45 mph. These conditions can allow grass fires to spread rapidly across open land.
The greatest fire risk stretches across much of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and northeast Nebraska, including communities near Sioux Falls, Yankton, Vermillion, Mitchell, and Spencer, Iowa. Officials strongly discourage outdoor burning Thursday afternoon because fires could quickly move through dry vegetation.
Wind speeds are expected to increase even further Thursday evening. A High Wind Watch begins at 9 p.m. Thursday and continues until 7 a.m. Friday, when northwest winds may produce gusts exceeding 60 mph across parts of the region.
Strong overnight winds could knock down tree limbs and create scattered power outages, especially in rural areas. Loose outdoor items such as trash bins, patio furniture, and farm equipment should be secured before sunset.
Emergency managers say the combination of dry air, strong winds, and dormant vegetation means any fire start could spread quickly. Additional watches or warnings may be issued as the event approaches Thursday afternoon.
