Severe Thunderstorms Bring Large Hail and Damaging Winds to South Dakota Early Sunday

The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings early Sunday for parts of north-central and northeastern South Dakota, while a red-flag fire warning covered much of Wyoming including Yellowstone National Park and a lingering heat wave in South Korea prompted government measures to protect outdoor workers and livestock.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued in South Dakota

A severe thunderstorm near Evergreen Colony, 11 miles north of Faulkton, South Dakota, was moving southeast at 25 mph at 2:25 a.m. CDT with ping-pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts, prompting a warning for northeastern Faulk County and northwestern Spink County until 3:15 a.m. CDT. [1] The National Weather Service in Aberdeen issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northeastern Faulk County in north central South Dakota and northwestern Spink County in northeastern South Dakota. [1] The warning remained in effect until 3:15 a.m. CDT. [1] At the time of the alert, radar indicated the storm was located near Evergreen Colony, or 11 miles north of Faulkton, and it was moving southeast at 25 mph. [1] Hazards associated with the storm included ping-pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. [1] The source of the information was radar indicated, and the impact noted that people and animals outdoors would be affected. [1]

A second severe thunderstorm was located over Roscoe, South Dakota, at 2:15 a.m. CDT, moving east at 20 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, affecting Ipswich, Roscoe and Pembrook Colony in Edmunds County. [2] At 2:15 a.m. CDT, the severe thunderstorm was located over Roscoe and moving east at 20 mph. [2] Hazards included 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [2] The source of the information was radar indicated. [2] Expected impacts included hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [2] Locations impacted included Ipswich, Roscoe and Pembrook Colony. [2]

Red Flag Fire Warning for Wyoming and Yellowstone

A Red Flag Warning was in effect for numerous fire zones across central, north-central, northwest, southwest and west-central Wyoming, including Yellowstone National Park, due to fire-weather conditions. [4] The affected area included central Wyoming fire zones 280, 283, 285, 288, 289 and 300. [4] North central Wyoming fire zones 275, 276, 281, 282 and 287 were also covered. [4] Northwest Wyoming fire zones 140 and 286 fell under the warning. [4] Southwest Wyoming fire zones 277 and 279 were included, along with west central Wyoming fire zone 278. [4] Counties affected encompassed central Wyoming counties Fremont and Natrona. [4] North central Wyoming counties Big Horn, Hot Springs, Johnson, Park and Washakie were listed. [4] Northwest Wyoming included Yellowstone National Park. [4] Southwest Wyoming counties Sweetwater and Uinta were covered, and west central Wyoming county Lincoln was included. [4]

South Korea Eases Peak Heat Alert but Maintains Protections

South Korea lifted its highest-level heat wave warning nationwide on Aug. 9, 2026, but temperatures near 35 C persisted; the government urged enhanced protections for vulnerable outdoor workers including migrant laborers and elderly farmers, plus livestock. [5] On Sunday the highest-level heat wave warning was lifted across the country, though some regions still saw the mercury peak at near 35 C. [5] The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted daily highs will sit around 35 C in most parts of the country for the foreseeable future. [5] In a meeting attended by relevant ministries and regional authorities, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reviewed emergency protocols to counter extreme heat. [5] The headquarters urged all interagency response units to focus on safeguarding high-risk populations. [5] Government ministries heightened their emergency response protocols. [5] The agriculture ministry upgraded its disaster situation room to an emergency response headquarter and stepped up drone and vehicle patrols across farms. [5] The health ministry set up a 24-hour emergency response team to monitor at-risk elderly citizens. [5] The labor ministry plans to conduct an intensive inspection through Friday in workplaces left vulnerable to heat, such as construction sites, and enforce mandatory work stoppages during peak temperatures. [5]

Focus on Vulnerable Populations and Livestock

South Korean authorities reported 203 additional heat-related illnesses on Sunday, bringing the total to 3,090 cases, with three more deaths, and forecast continued highs around 35 C. [5] Earlier in the day, Kim Kwang-yong, chief of the headquarters, visited the county of Yesan, some 100 kilometers south of Seoul, to inspect working conditions for foreign seasonal farmers and check heat impact on livestock, following heat-related fatalities involving foreign workers in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, and Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province. [5] Since foreign workers face language barriers that leave them in safety blind spots, Kim asked farm owners to provide sufficient water, shade and rest for their workers. [5] Officials distributed heat stroke prevention manuals translated into 18 languages and also various cooling supplies. [5] Kim also visited local swine farms to check their ventilation and cooling systems. [5] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters holds a meeting on response to a nationwide heat wave on Aug. 9, 2026, in this photo provided by the interior ministry. [5] Kim Kwang-yong, chief of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, speaks to a farmer in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, about heat stroke prevention measures during his visit on Aug. 9, 2026, in this photo provided by the interior ministry. [5]

Heat-Related Illness and Fatality Totals

South Korean authorities reported 203 additional heat-related illnesses on Sunday, bringing the total to 3,090 cases, with three more deaths, and forecast continued highs around 35 C. [5] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 203 additional cases of heat-related illnesses Sunday, bringing the total to 3,090. [5] There were three more deaths linked to such illnesses Sunday. [5] The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted daily highs will sit around 35 C in most parts of the country for the foreseeable future. [5]

What to watch next: The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted daily highs will sit around 35 C in most parts of the country for the foreseeable future, while the labor ministry plans to conduct an intensive inspection through Friday in workplaces left vulnerable to heat.