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Wind in McCook County, South Dakota
176 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.
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.
NCEI records 176 wind events in McCook County, South Dakota, between 1950 and 2026, spread over 40 years.
July is the busiest month, with 46 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 103 events against 64 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.
The county holds 1% of the 18,009 wind events recorded in South Dakota; its 30.7 per 100 square miles compares with 23.8 statewide.
149 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 30 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
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind events since 1950 | 176 | 18,009 | 701,953 |
| Per 100 square miles | 30.7 | 23.8 | 19.9 |
| Per 10,000 residents | 309.0 | 201.1 | 21.1 |
| Deaths recorded | 0 | 16 | 2,166 |
| Busiest month | July | July | June |
By year
Seasonality
7Feb
5Mar
4Apr
16May
28Jun
30Jul
46Aug
17Sep
5Oct
6Nov
4Dec
8
Magnitude distribution
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 176 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.
| Date | Event type | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 17 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 Mar 2026 | High Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Feb 2026 | High Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Feb 2026 | High Wind | 41 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Jan 2026 | High Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jan 2026 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Jan 2026 | Strong Wind | 56 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Dec 2025 | High Wind | 67 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Dec 2025 | High Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Nov 2025 | High Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 67 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 29 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 28 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 27 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 27 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 4 Mar 2025 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Feb 2025 | High Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 19 Dec 2024 | Strong Wind | 49 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Dec 2024 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Jun 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 6 Jun 2024 | Strong Wind | 46 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 May 2024 | High Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Apr 2024 | High Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Dec 2023 | Strong Wind | 54 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Oct 2023 | Strong Wind | 55 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Jul 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Apr 2023 | Strong Wind | 52 mph | — | $2K | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 mph | — | $207K | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | — | $15K | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | — | $114K | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 77 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 125 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 87 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 14 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 7 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 68 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 7 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 41 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Mar 2022 | High Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Jan 2022 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Dec 2021 | High Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Nov 2021 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Sep 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | 77 mph | — | $2K | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Jan 2021 | High Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Aug 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Aug 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $25K | — | — | — | County |
| 25 Jun 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jun 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $1K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jun 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 mph | — | $12K | — | — | County |
| 21 Oct 2019 | High Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Sep 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Aug 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Sep 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 22 Jul 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 25 Dec 2016 | High Wind | 40 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Aug 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 17 Jun 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Feb 2016 | High Wind | 41 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Aug 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Jan 2014 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Jan 2014 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 May 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 1 May 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Oct 2010 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Jul 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Jul 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 8 Aug 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 2 Aug 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Jul 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Jul 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Jul 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Jul 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Oct 2008 | High Wind | 45 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 May 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Sep 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $30K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 23 May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 23 May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 8 Nov 2005 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 7 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Apr 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | $250K | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Apr 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Apr 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Apr 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 10 Mar 2005 | High Wind | 60 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Dec 2004 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | $60K | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | $20K | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | $300K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 4 Jul 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Jul 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Aug 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 13 Jun 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 12 Jun 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Jun 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 7 Aug 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Aug 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jul 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jul 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Jun 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Apr 2000 | High Wind | 64 mph | $17K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Jul 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 7 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 12 Apr 1998 | High Wind | 55 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Nov 1997 | High Wind | — | $3K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Oct 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 2 Jul 1997 | High Wind | 51 mph | $7K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Apr 1997 | High Wind | 72 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Oct 1996 | High Wind | 66 mph | $20K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 May 1996 | High Wind | 52 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Apr 1996 | High Wind | 71 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Feb 1996 | High Wind | 67 mph | $20K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 May 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 17 Jul 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 2 Jun 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 4 May 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jul 1987 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Aug 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Aug 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Apr 1985 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Jul 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 1983 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 4 Jun 1980 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Sep 1978 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jul 1978 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Jul 1969 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
Questions and answers
How many wind events has McCook County had?
176 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 McCook County?
28 Jun 2026 (Thunderstorm Wind, 61 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.
What was the most damaging wind event recorded in McCook County?
The thunderstorm wind of 3 Aug 2004, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $300K.
How does McCook County compare with South Dakota for wind?
30.7 events per 100 square miles against 23.8 statewide; the county holds 176 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.