High Wind — Haakon, South Dakota

2025-12-18 · Haakon, South Dakota

Event narrative

South Dakota mesonet site at 10 WSW Ottumwa recorded wind gust.

Wider weather episode

A historic, record-breaking wind storm wreaked havoc across northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota on December 17-18, 2025. Wind gusts reached 101 MPH, resulting in significant damage to trees, power lines, and some structures. A couple of fires were also propelled by the high winds. All-time high wind gusts were officially recorded at the National Weather Service in east Rapid City, SD (91 MPH at 4:56 AM MST on December 18) and the Rapid City Regional Airport (94 MPH at 5:13 AM MST on December 18).

Rapidly deepening low-pressure system over Saskatchewan on December 17 tracked east-southeastward into northern Minnesota on December 18. The low-pressure system dragged a warm front through the area on December 17, producing strong, gusty southwest winds up to 77 MPH in its wake. The passage of the low pushed the first cold front into the region late in the afternoon on December 17, bringing a period of strong northwest winds lasting several hours. The second, and most potent, cold front moved through the area from late evening on December 17 into the morning of December 18. Following the passage of the second cold front, historic wind gusts were observed, persisting for 4 to 8 hours.

Some residents in the Black Hills experienced power outages that lasted a week. Further details are available in the tabs below.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1307917. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.