Preliminary 211 km/h (131 mph) gust in South Dakota among the strongest thunderstorm winds in U.S.
A wind gust of 211 km/h (131 mph) measured near Holabird, South Dakota, during severe thunderstorms on June 29, 2026, would rank as the 15th strongest thunderstorm wind gust ever recorded in the United States if confirmed. The storms damaged grain bins, metal buildings, trees and other infrastructure across several counties with straight-line winds extending from south-southwest of Andover into the town.
Grain silos damaged by destructive winds in Highmore, South Dakota on June 29, 2026. Credit: Jim Mehlhaff candidate for District 24 Senate
The strongest reported wind gusts reached 211 km/h (131 mph) near Holabird and at the Highmore South Dakota Mesonet station. Other stations measured 183 km/h (114 mph) near Highmore and 180 km/h (112 mph) near Joe Creek Recreation Area and Ree Heights.
The NWS said the observations came from several observing networks that use different equipment and have different site exposures, and noted that not all reported observations are considered official.
If confirmed, the 211 km/h (131 mph) gust would be the 15th strongest thunderstorm wind gust ever recorded in the United States and the second-highest gust in South Dakota. In 2010, winds of 229 km/h (142 mph) were measured in Lantry (Dewey County), South Dakota, News Watch reported.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that these may be the strongest straight-line thunderstorm gusts directly measured since August 1, 1983, when a microburst hit Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland shortly after Air Force One landed with Ronald Reagan. A gust of 241 km/h (149.5 mph) was recorded on that day.
Destructive winds affected a broad area across central South Dakota. Gusts of 142 km/h (88 mph) were recorded at Holabird and Westport, 135 km/h (84 mph) at Ree Heights, Miranda and northwest of Redfield, 129 km/h (80 mph) south of Highmore and southeast of Rockham, 119 km/h (74 mph) at Miller, 113 km/h (70 mph) east of Polo, and 100 km/h (62 mph) at Andover.
The NWS office in Aberdeen, together with the Day County Emergency Manager, surveyed damage along a corridor about 8.66 km (5.38 miles) long extending from south-southwest of Andover into the town. Investigators found that the surveyed damage was consistent with straight-line winds.
The preliminary survey estimated winds of 105 to 161 km/h (65 to 100 mph) along the surveyed path. Damage included dented grain bins, an overturned trailer, snapped hardwood trees, uprooted trees, broken branches, damaged metal buildings, sections of roofing torn away, and overturned bleachers.
Survey teams also found that debris consistently fell toward the north and northeast, supporting the preliminary straight-line wind assessment. No fatalities or injuries were reported within the surveyed area.
Videos shared online showed significant and widespread damage across the affected regions. Multiple grain silos were damaged, and buildings lost their roofs. The St Mary’s Catholic Church in Highmore suffered some roof damage, with a ceiling being partially split.
The Aberdeen Office also received two reports of tornadoes from Andover and Pierpoint on the morning of June 29. The first was reported at 08:02 local time (LT), approximately 3 km (2 miles) south of Andover.
“We received a picture and video of a tornado south of Andover, South Dakota. These were shared with us privately,” the NWS said.
The second tornado was reported by Marshall County Emergency Management near Pierpont. The estimated time was 08:13 LT.
Both tornadoes are yet to be confirmed.
References:
1 Public Information Statement – NWS – June 29, 2026
2 Public Information Statement Highest Wind Reports – NWS – June 29, 2026
3 Why a 131-mph wind gust in South Dakota caught my attention –The Washington Post – June 29, 2026
4 Fact brief: Was a SD storm’s wind gust among the strongest in US history? – South Dakota New Watch – June 30, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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