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Wind in Douglas County, South Dakota

140 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.

140 events · 0 deaths recorded · peak month July · county share of state 0.8%

2026-06-28: Wind2026-06-09: Wind2026-05-17: Wind2026-05-17: Wind2025-07-29: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-07-15: Wind2025-06-27: Wind2025-06-27: Wind2025-06-27: Wind2024-08-25: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-29: Wind2024-07-14: Wind2022-08-02: Wind2022-07-05: Wind2022-06-20: Wind2022-05-12: Wind2020-08-08: Wind2020-07-24: Wind2020-07-24: Wind2020-06-09: Wind2020-06-09: Wind2020-06-09: Wind2020-06-09: Wind2019-09-10: Wind2019-07-17: Wind2019-07-17: Wind2019-07-17: Wind2019-07-17: Wind2017-08-21: Wind2017-05-15: Wind2017-05-15: Wind2015-06-20: Wind2014-07-26: Wind2014-07-26: Wind2014-07-26: Wind2012-09-04: Wind2010-08-30: Wind2010-08-19: Wind2010-07-23: Wind2010-07-23: Wind2010-05-24: Wind2009-08-03: Wind2008-07-28: Wind2008-06-05: Wind2007-09-29: Wind2007-08-03: Wind2007-08-03: Wind2007-07-17: Wind2005-06-07: Wind2005-05-07: Wind2004-08-02: Wind2004-08-02: Wind2004-08-02: Wind2003-06-24: Wind2003-06-24: Wind2002-08-22: Wind2000-05-11: Wind1999-07-02: Wind1998-07-05: Wind1998-07-05: Wind1997-06-20: Wind1996-08-06: Wind1992-06-16: Wind1987-07-11: Wind1986-07-28: Wind1985-04-19: Wind1983-07-28: Wind1983-07-26: Wind1982-08-24: Wind1982-08-24: Wind1982-08-24: Wind1982-07-20: Wind1981-07-19: Wind1980-10-16: Wind1955-08-23: Wind
Wind event locations in and around Douglas County. Dots: Wind event locations in the kept record. Boundaries: US Census Bureau.

NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. Storm records through 30 Jun 2026.

Douglas County, South Dakota, has 140 wind events in the NCEI record since 1950, with at least one in 36 different years.

July is the busiest month, with 39 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 100 events against 29 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.

The county holds 0.8% of the 18,009 wind events recorded in South Dakota; its 32.4 per 100 square miles compares with 23.8 statewide.

103 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 22 reached hurricane force (74 mph).

Some winter weather and high wind events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county; zone-recorded events whose zone is named for the county are included and marked "Forecast zone" in the table.

Compared with South Dakota

MeasureDouglas CountySouth DakotaUS
Wind events since 195014018,009701,953
Per 100 square miles32.423.819.9
Per 10,000 residents496.3201.121.1
Deaths recorded0162,166
Busiest monthJulyJulyJune

By year

195019882026
Wind events recorded in Douglas County per year, 1950 to 2026 (2026 is partial).

Seasonality

Jan
6
Feb
4
Mar
6
Apr
12
May
10
Jun
18
Jul
39
Aug
18
Sep
4
Oct
8
Nov
5
Dec
10
Wind events in Douglas County by month of occurrence, all years.

Magnitude distribution

under 58 mph36
58–73 mph81
74–95 mph22
96 mph and over0
NWS wind thresholds
under 58 mph
below severe threshold
58–73 mph
severe
74–95 mph
hurricane-force
96 mph and over
extreme

Wind speed converted from the knots NCEI records; estimated and measured gusts are combined. Events without a speed are not binned.

Recorded events

All 140 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.

DateEvent typeMagnitudeProperty damageCrop damageDeathsInjuriesGeography
28 Jun 2026Thunderstorm Wind68 mph————County
9 Jun 2026Thunderstorm Wind72 mph————County
17 May 2026Thunderstorm Wind81 mph————County
17 May 2026Thunderstorm Wind62 mph————County
12 Mar 2026High Wind66 mph————Forecast zone
21 Jan 2026High Wind69 mph————Forecast zone
16 Jan 2026High Wind61 mph————Forecast zone
18 Dec 2025High Wind67 mph————Forecast zone
9 Dec 2025High Wind62 mph————Forecast zone
25 Nov 2025High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
29 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind74 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind77 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind61 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind62 mph————County
15 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
27 Jun 2025Thunderstorm Wind72 mph————County
27 Jun 2025Thunderstorm Wind82 mph————County
27 Jun 2025Thunderstorm Wind86 mph————County
19 May 2025Strong Wind56 mph————Forecast zone
14 Mar 2025High Wind40 mph————Forecast zone
4 Mar 2025High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
28 Feb 2025Strong Wind48 mph————Forecast zone
19 Dec 2024High Wind61 mph————Forecast zone
9 Dec 2024Strong Wind46 mph————Forecast zone
4 Dec 2024Strong Wind55 mph————Forecast zone
20 Nov 2024Strong Wind56 mph————Forecast zone
12 Sep 2024Strong Wind46 mph————Forecast zone
25 Aug 2024Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind81 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind87 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind68 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
29 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
14 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind59 mph————County
6 Jun 2024Strong Wind47 mph————Forecast zone
21 May 2024High Wind41 mph————Forecast zone
6 Apr 2024High Wind41 mph————Forecast zone
6 Mar 2024Strong Wind51 mph————Forecast zone
9 Dec 2023Strong Wind51 mph————Forecast zone
4 Dec 2023Strong Wind49 mph————Forecast zone
17 Oct 2023Strong Wind54 mph————Forecast zone
12 Oct 2023Strong Wind49 mph————Forecast zone
30 Apr 2023Strong Wind47 mph————Forecast zone
2 Aug 2022Thunderstorm Wind64 mph—$3K——County
5 Jul 2022Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
20 Jun 2022Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
12 May 2022Thunderstorm Wind62 mph—$1K——County
23 Apr 2022High Wind62 mph————Forecast zone
22 Apr 2022High Wind61 mph————Forecast zone
14 Apr 2022High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
12 Apr 2022High Wind61 mph————Forecast zone
7 Apr 2022High Wind69 mph————Forecast zone
6 Apr 2022High Wind45 mph————Forecast zone
25 Mar 2022Strong Wind52 mph————Forecast zone
15 Dec 2021High Wind59 mph————Forecast zone
11 Nov 2021High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
14 Jan 2021High Wind41 mph————Forecast zone
8 Aug 2020Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$40K———County
24 Jul 2020Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
24 Jul 2020Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$5K———County
9 Jun 2020Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$30K———County
9 Jun 2020Thunderstorm Wind85 mph$50K———County
9 Jun 2020Thunderstorm Wind85 mph$35K———County
9 Jun 2020Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$5K———County
10 Sep 2019Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K———County
17 Jul 2019Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$10K———County
17 Jul 2019Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
17 Jul 2019Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
17 Jul 2019Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
21 Aug 2017Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
15 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$10K——1County
15 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$50K———County
25 Dec 2016High Wind40 mph————Forecast zone
19 Feb 2016High Wind41 mph————Forecast zone
20 Jun 2015Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
26 Jul 2014Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$5K———County
26 Jul 2014Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$40K———County
26 Jul 2014Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
26 Jan 2014High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
16 Jan 2014High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
17 Oct 2012High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
4 Sep 2012Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
26 Oct 2010High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
30 Aug 2010Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
19 Aug 2010Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
23 Jul 2010Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
23 Jul 2010Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
24 May 2010Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
3 Aug 2009Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
26 Oct 2008High Wind45 mph————Forecast zone
28 Jul 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
5 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
29 Sep 2007Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
3 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
3 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
17 Jul 2007Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K———County
8 Nov 2005High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
7 Jun 2005Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
7 May 2005Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
10 Mar 2005High Wind62 mph$20K———Forecast zone
30 Oct 2004High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
2 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
2 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
2 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind66 mph————County
24 Jun 2003Thunderstorm Wind66 mph$10K———County
24 Jun 2003Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$50K———County
22 Aug 2002Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
11 Feb 2002High Wind58 mph————Forecast zone
28 Dec 2000High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
11 May 2000Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
5 Apr 2000High Wind64 mph$17K———Forecast zone
10 Jan 2000High Wind49 mph————Forecast zone
2 Jul 1999Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
5 Jul 1998Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
5 Jul 1998Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
2 Nov 1997High Wind—$3K———Forecast zone
20 Jun 1997Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$1.0M———County
6 Apr 1997High Wind72 mph$10K———Forecast zone
29 Oct 1996High Wind66 mph————Forecast zone
6 Aug 1996Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
25 Apr 1996High Wind71 mph————Forecast zone
10 Feb 1996High Wind67 mph$50K———Forecast zone
21 Jul 1995Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
16 Jun 1992Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
11 Jul 1987Thunderstorm Wind81 mph————County
28 Jul 1986Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
19 Apr 1985Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
28 Jul 1983Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
26 Jul 1983Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
24 Aug 1982Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
24 Aug 1982Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
24 Aug 1982Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
20 Jul 1982Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
19 Jul 1981Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
16 Oct 1980Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
23 Aug 1955Thunderstorm Wind81 mph————County

Questions and answers

How many wind events has Douglas County had?

140 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of damaging wind became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.

When was the last recorded wind event in Douglas County?

28 Jun 2026 (Thunderstorm Wind, 68 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.

What was the most damaging wind event recorded in Douglas County?

The thunderstorm wind of 20 Jun 1997, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $1.0M.

How does Douglas County compare with South Dakota for wind?

32.4 events per 100 square miles against 23.8 statewide; the county holds 140 of the state's 18,009 recorded events.

Provenance

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026, public domain. County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county (marked "Forecast zone"). Population and area from the US Census Bureau (2021). Built 1 Oct 2026. See the methodology, the Wind hub and the county page.