United States Severe Weather Triggers Thunderstorm Warnings Across South Dakota
United States severe weather has prompted the National Weather Service to issue multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across parts of South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming for damaging winds up to 70 mph, hail and tree damage moving through the region late Wednesday night. [1] [4]
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Dakota
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect until 1115 PM CDT for northeastern Brown County, northwestern Day County and western Marshall County in South Dakota. [1] At 1046 PM CDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Claremont or 14 miles north of Groton and was moving southeast at 40 mph. [1] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts according to radar indicated sources. [1] A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 1045 PM CDT covers northern Brown County in South Dakota. [5] At 1016 PM CDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Frederick or 19 miles northeast of Leola and was moving southeast at 40 mph. [5] The hazard for this storm includes 60 mph wind gusts and small hail with radar indicated sources. [5] Severe thunderstorms moving southeast at 25 mph are producing 70 mph wind gusts and ping-pong ball size hail in Mellette County South Dakota. [2] At 1043 PM CDT these storms were located along a line from near White River to 6 miles west of Swift Bear. [2]
Warnings Extend to Nebraska and Wyoming
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 1015 PM MDT covers western Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska southwestern Sioux County in the Panhandle of Nebraska Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming and eastern Platte County in southeastern Wyoming. [4] At 923 PM MDT severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 10 miles southwest of Rawhide Buttes to Fort Laramie National Historic Site to 8 miles east. [4] These warnings address hazards indicated by radar across the listed counties. [4]
Hazards and Expected Impacts
The storms carry risks of injury to people and animals outdoors along with hail damage to roofs siding windows and vehicles. [2] Considerable tree damage is expected along with wind damage likely to mobile homes roofs and additional structures. [2] In northern Brown County the 60 mph wind gusts and small hail are expected to cause damage to roofs siding and trees. [5] In the Brown Day and Marshall county warning area the 60 mph wind gusts are expected to produce damage to roofs siding and trees. [1] Radar sources confirm the locations and movements of all listed storms. [1] [2] [5]
Heat-Related Fatality in California
A French tourist has died in California's Death Valley after becoming stranded on the side of the road during 46.6C heat. [3] The 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa was found dead around the salt flats of Death Valley following a brief search. [3] His vehicle became stuck in mud on West Side Road while he was driving with a French travelling companion last Monday. [3] The pair sought help by walking across the salt flats before severe heat prevented the 68-year-old from continuing after 1.3 miles. [3] The travelling companion managed to hail down a nearby driver and rangers and police found Formosa later that afternoon where he was pronounced dead. [3] Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds stated this is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous. [3] Reynolds also noted Death Valley is an extraordinary place but its heat distances and remoteness can be dangerous regardless of experience. [3] Soaring temperatures across the United States have caused millions of people to sweat through record heatwaves leading to dozens of heat-related deaths. [3] An extreme heat warning is currently in effect across Death Valley which has recorded a global high of 57C in 1913. [3]
National Weather Service Guidance
The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for the South Dakota counties with details on storm locations movements and hazards. [1] [5] The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Nebraska and Wyoming counties. [4] Forecasters at the National Weather Service expected Southern California would experience its hottest week of summer so far. [3] Official statements emphasize that conditions in both severe thunderstorm areas and extreme heat zones can turn dangerous quickly. [3] Residents and travelers are reminded of the dangers from both severe thunderstorms and record heat based on the active alerts. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
What to watch next: Additional movement of the severe thunderstorms southeast at speeds noted in the warnings and continued extreme heat warnings across Death Valley with potential for further impacts to travel and outdoor activities.
