BLACK HILLS AND WESTERN S.D. – Powerful storms have developed in Butte and Meade counties Saturday afternoon, prompting several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings from the National Weather Service. Reports of ping-pong ball sized hail from trained spotters were seen in Belle Fourche at 3:15pm, which even caused a power outage. Reports of 85 mph winds were made in Nisland at 3:50pm as the storm moved towards Meade County.The National Weather Service has labeled this a “destructive storm for Vale,” urging residents to take immediate precautions. “This is an extremely dangerous situation with tornado like wind speeds expected,” the bulletin stated, advising people to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and away from windows.
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Mayn short-range models did not predict the storm in Butte County, indicating that the atmosphere over Western South Dakota is primed for severe weather for Saturday evening. Areas of the southern Black Hills will likely see development around 6pm, with activity continuing into the night along the entirety of the Black Hills. A Mesoscale Convective System is expected to develop around midnight and could create a Bow Echo, with extreme winds in excess of 100mph east river.National Weather Service forecasters had noted that a “capping inversion,” a layer of warm air aloft that can suppress storm development, was present earlier. However, the current thunderstorm is evidence that the cap has been broken in at least one area, allowing a powerful updraft to erupt. With sunny conditions continuing in the plains, the inversion is likely to weaken.Residents across the region, especially along and south of I-90, should remain on high alert through this evening. The forecast indicates that additional scattered storms, some of which could be severe with large hail and damaging winds, are possible. As the evening progresses, these individual storms could merge into a line, posing a continued threat of damaging winds and locally heavy rainfall.Stay tuned for latest watches and warnings. If you have photos, videos, and other reports, send them to us at
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By
Per Lundquist
Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.
