Tornado in Codington County, South Dakota

A weak thunderstorm generated a brief tornado in an open field. A storm chaser photographed the event. No damage was observed by this tornado, but it was the first February tornado to be documented in South Dakota history.

A fast-moving low pressure system brought thunderstorms in the relatively warmer air ahead of it, along with strong non-thunderstorm winds in the colder air behind it. The strong non-thunderstorm winds developed during the morning across central and north central South Dakota and peaked in the afternoon hours of February 24th. Several South Dakota Department of Transportation weather stations recorded gusts in excess of 60 mph, including a 64 mph wind gusts 13 miles north-northwest of Sansarc, and 62 mph recorded winds 4 miles west-northwest of Cresbard, 1 mile north of Ree Heights, and 3 miles southeast of Reliance. Numerous other locations reported wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph.

Later that afternoon and evening, unusual February thunderstorms developed over eastern South Dakota. While the environment wasn't favorable for strong storms, there was enough low-level rotation in the atmosphere to support a brief, weak tornado in Codington County. Some storms also produced pea-sized hail. This event was particularly notable, as it marked the first documented tornado in South Dakota history during the month of February.