Severe weather possible in southeast South Dakota

Flash flood warnings, overflowing rivers and possible severe weather are the big news on Thursday as rain soaks southeastern South Dakota.

Chance of severe weather

A chance of severe weather is possible for southeastern South Dakota between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls said. Strong winds, ping pong ball-sized hail and even a tornado or two east of Sioux Falls are within the realm of possibility. 

Flood warnings

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Big Sioux River at Western Avenue until further notice, saying in a bulletin that the river stage was at 8.14 feet, slightly above flood stage at eight feet.

A flash flood warning is also in effect until 12:45 p.m. for Yankton County, northwest Turner County and Hutchinson County. The NWS says emergency management has reported water flowing on roads.

Flood watches

For much of southeastern South Dakota, flash flood watches are the primary concern. A flash flood watch is in effect until 1 p.m. for the following counties: Brookings, Miner, Lake, Moody, Davison, Hanson, McCook, Minnehaha, Charles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Lincoln, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay and Union.

Rain is expected to slowly diminish over the course of the morning, the NWS says.

Rainfall totals

The National Weather Service reports that the Sioux Falls airport received 4.32 inches of rain in 24 hours. North of the city received 4.72 inches, while areas further west received less. Mitchell clocked in at 2.66 inches of rain.

Daily weather forecast from NWS

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.