Severe weather has affected southern North Dakota, western South Dakota, and northern and western Nebraska on August 11 and August 12, 2026. Both days featured strong winds, while August 11^th featured significant hail. The figure below shows hail reports along southern North Dakota, southeastern South Dakota, and northwestern Nebraska into the Nebraska Panhandle. Thunderstorm activity was present in the late afternoon through early evening for South Dakota, while thunderstorm activity was present in the early evening and overnight hours for Nebraska.

The tables below show a sample of the hail and wind reports which were collected by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC), where they happened, when they happened, and the size and strength of hail and wind speed, respectively. The hail report table shows some instances where hail size was at least 3.00” or greater. In other words, this would be the equivalent size of a large apple. Hailstones that were 4.00” or more were also reported in South Dakota and Nebraska, such as the one that occurred at 17:48 LT just outside of Oglala, South Dakota. This would be the equivalent size of a softball. Severe wind reports were also variable in strength and had a strong presence for both days. The highest wind report received was an instance of a 111 mph wind gust just outside of Newell, South Dakota, at 18:51 LT August 11, 2026. An instance of an 80 mph wind gust was reported at 01:10 LT August 12, 2026, just outside of Arcadia, Nebraska. The Greeley station from the Nebraska Mesonet recorded a 63 mph wind gust on August 11, 2026, at 03:11 LT and a 68 mph wind gust on August 12, 2026, at 02:02 LT.

The map below shows precipitation totals for Nebraska, South Dakota, and southern North Dakota from August 11, 2026, to August 13, 2026. In addition to featuring large hail and strong winds, precipitation was plentiful, with totals ranging from 1 to 2 inches of rain being widespread. Precipitation totals exceeding 3 to 4 inches were isolated in portions of central and south central South Dakota. Northern Nebraska experienced rainfall of 2 to 3 inches for these two days, with totals of 3 to 4 inches for northeast Nebraska.

The table below shows precipitation departures from normals in the last 30 days as of August 12^th, 2026, for nine stations across northern Nebraska and southern South Dakota. The Marion station in South Dakota has the highest departure from normal precipitation in the last 30 days, at 3.19” above normal. Other places experienced precipitation departures from normal that are 2.00” or more, like the Valentine No. 1 station in Nebraska, which has a precipitation departure from normal of 2.16”. The Mission 14 S station in South Dakota has a 2.00” departure from normal precipitation. Other stations experience departures from normal that are at least over 1 inch.