Thunderstorms are expected to return July 9-10 to the Sioux Empire, with some anticipated to be severe, according to the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls.
Most of the storms July 9 are expected between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., with the greatest risk for severe weather „along and west of a line from Lake Andes to Mitchell to De Smet,“ the NWS said.
Then, July 10 brings late afternoon and nighttime rainfall, with the possibility of localized flash flooding.
Here’s a closer look at the two-day outlook, per NWS:
Wednesday
For areas west of Sioux Falls, toward Mitchell, damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph are possible, the NWS states.
„Storms are expected to first develop across central South Dakota this afternoon, moving into the Highway 281 corridor and the James River Valley after 9 p.m.,“ the NWS website states. „Storms are expected to gradually weaken as they move east toward the I-29 corridor after midnight.“
Half-dollar sized hail might be possible in some areas.
The severe thunderstorm risk has increased across much of the region this evening and overnight with a Level 3 of 5 (Enhanced) risk for areas along and west of a line from Lake Andes to Mitchell to De Smet.
Thursday
While the exact timing is not as clear for storms July 10, the greatest threat is predicted to be in the evening. „While there remains uncertainty regarding where storms will develop late Thursday and track through Thursday night, any storms will bring some risk of severe weather and/or heavy rain,“ the NWS website states.
Damaging wind gusts of up to 70 mph and large hail of 2 inches in diameter may be possible with the initial round of storms. As the hours progress, that’s where the slower storms could bring areas of heavy rain and urban flooding, the NWS stated.
Initial storms Thursday evening will bring the greatest severe threat, potentially capable of damaging wind gusts of 70 mph and large hail up to 2 inches in diameter.
What’s next?
Friday also brings a chance of rain before clearer skies return for the weekend. Here’s a closer look at the forecast, per NWS:Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. High near 81. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday night: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: NWS: Heavy rain, thunderstorms anticipated Thursday for Sioux Empire