Tornado watch expires for Mitchell area, multiple rounds of severe storms still possible

Hunter Dunteman, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·2 min read

May 11—UPDATED AT 5 p.m.: The National Weather Service has allowed a tornado watch to expire for the counties of Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Miner, Sanborn, Union and Yankton.

SIOUX FALLS — The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a tornado watch for much of southeastern South Dakota as multiple rounds of severe storms are set to strike the area Wednesday and Thursday.

A tornado watch was issued Wednesday afternoon for the following counties: Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union and Yankton.

At the time of issuance, the tornado watch is expected to expire at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

According to

forecasts from the National Weather Service,

after some thunderstorms passed through the area Wednesday morning, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

The storms could be capable of producing up to tennis-ball sized hail — 2.5 inches in diameter — with wind gusts of up to 70 mph. In the counties subject to the watch, a tornado could develop along and north of Interstate 90.

The National Weather Service says storms should move northeast of the area by 9 p.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, very warm and humid conditions are expected to produce afternoon heat indices from 90 to 95 degrees, creating an environment conducive for the production of thunderstorms.

Storms are expected to develop late afternoon Thursday to the west of the Interstate 29 corridor. These storms could develop into a squall line as they approach Interstate 29 in the early evening. Ping pong ball-size hail (up to 1.5 inches in diameter) and wind gusts of up to 75 mph are possible.

The National Weather Service strongly encourages residents in potentially affected areas to ensure they have access to up-to-date conditions through the use of a weather radio, television or internet-capable device.