Prepare For Storms: Sioux Falls Severe Weather Training Session

This is the time of year we transition from snow shovels to rain gauges as
Spring takes hold in the Upper Midwest.

And with those Spring storms comes an increased chance of things turning nasty on a moment's notice.

With that in mind, the City of Sioux Falls, the National Weather Service, and the emergency management offices of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties are teaming up to host a severe weather awareness training session on Tuesday, April 14th, at the Washington Pavilion.

The event runs from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

The program will cover weather safety procedures, storm-spotting fundamentals, guidance on reporting severe weather, and historical systems that have affected the region. The session is free and open to first responders and the public. No registration is required.

Severe Weather Awareness Week in South Dakota is April 13–17.

When it comes to where lightning strikes most often in the country, the skies above South Dakota are among the busiest.

The Mount Rushmore State recorded more than seven million lightning strikes in 2024, which is 11th overall. And while that might seem like a staggering number, it's a drop in the bucket compared to Texas.

The Lone Star State leads the country with more than 47 million strikes, nearly seven times more than South Dakota and more than double the next closest state (Florida).

STATES WITH THE MOST LIGHTNING STRIKES (2024)

Texas - 47,361,143
Florida - 20,034,067
Oklahoma - 17,658,353
Louisiana 12,624,227
Arkansas -12,229,238
Mississippi - 11,176,370
Kansas - 10,593,692
Nebraska - 9,179,528
Georgia - 7,910,840
Alabama - 7,801,773 10
South Dakota - 7,702,792

It all adds up to an average of 1,253 tornadoes per year nationwide, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). That number is far and away the most of any country on the globe.

In South Dakota, a large part of the state is in an area better known as 'tornado alley' which stretches from Southern North Dakota all the way into the heart of Texas.

And according to Axios.com, a number of the places in the 'alley' make up the states where twisters touch down most often.

Texas is the clear leader nationally, with an average of 155 tornadoes annually, 59 more than second-place Kansas, which outpaces third-place Florida by another 30 per year.

STATES WITH THE MOST TORNADOES PER YEAR ON AVERAGE (NOAA)

155: Texas
96: Kansas
66: Florida
62: Oklahoma
57: Nebraska
54: Illinois
53: Colorado
51: Iowa
45: Minnesota, Missouri
44: Alabama
43: Mississippi
39: Arkansas
37: Louisiana
36: South Dakota

South Dakota's 36 tornadoes per year rank the state 15th overall.

On average, the Mount Rushmore State sees eight tornadoes in May, 16 in June, seven in July, and three in August.

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Where Are You Most Likely to Encounter a Tornado in South Dakota?

The folks at Stacker crunched the numbers to find the top 10 South Dakota counties likely to see tornados.

NOTE: "Since counties can vary in size, they are ranked by the number of tornadoes per 100 square miles." - Stacker

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Gallery Credit: Christine Manika

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

Filed Under: Weather