The Fourth of July weekend is almost here, but Mother Nature has other plans for parts of the United States. While many are preparing for barbecues and fireworks, several states are bracing for intense thunderstorms that could put a damper on the festivities.
The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Iowa, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin this Thursday. But the most alarming update comes from South Dakota, where conditions are turning dangerous fast.
What's Heading for South Dakota?
South Dakota is now under a severe thunderstorm warning, with the potential for hail as large as 3 inches in diameter—that's bigger than a baseball. On top of that, wind gusts could reach 70 miles per hour, strong enough to knock down trees and damage property.
According to the National Weather Service, a supercell thunderstorm moving through Brule County has already produced very large hail and brief tornadoes. The storm is tracking slowly northeastward, and the tornado threat is expected to continue as it moves along a stalled outflow boundary.
“Very large hail (up to 3 inches) and brief tornadoes have been reported with the supercell that began in Brule county and has moved slowly northeastward,” the NWS stated. “The tornado threat will likely remain as this supercell moves along the stalled outflow boundary.”
Additional storms are developing to the south, with one recent gust recorded at 69 mph. The NWS warns that if this activity grows and accelerates east-southeast, the severe thunderstorm watch may need to be expanded.
The warning currently covers Buffalo County and Hand County, South Dakota, and will remain in effect until at least 4:15 PM CDT. Residents in these areas are urged to take immediate precautions.
How to Stay Safe During Severe Thunderstorms
When a severe thunderstorm hits, getting to a safe location is crucial. The NWS recommends the following steps:
- Get inside a sturdy building with walls and a foundation as soon as possible.
- Once inside, head to the basement or a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level for extra protection from high winds.
- Stay inside until weather forecasts confirm it's safe to leave.
Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and RVs are not safe in high winds. If you live in one of these, identify a sturdy building nearby that you can reach quickly.
It's also a good idea to practice severe weather drills with your household so everyone knows where to go and what to do before a storm strikes.
This isn't the only severe weather threat this week. In a related story, strong tornadoes threaten three states Monday night, and 65 mph gusts threaten the Northeast with severe storms tonight. Additionally, six states are on alert as tornadoes and 70 mph winds threaten Friday night.
Stay safe and keep an eye on the sky this Thursday night.
