Alright South Dakota, heads up — Thursday’s not looking like just another breezy spring day. We’ve got strong thunderstorms headed our way, and they could get pretty intense, especially if you’re in the southeastern part of the state.
The National Weather Service is calling for a pretty solid chance of severe storms Thursday afternoon into the evening, and it’s nothing to sleep on. Here’s the lowdown:
What’s Coming?
We’re talking about the kind of storms that bring:
-
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls
-
Winds hitting 60 mph
-
Heavy rain and possibly a lot of lightning
The worst of it is expected to hit late afternoon into the evening, so if you’ve got plans or a commute during that window, keep your eyes on the sky and check in with weather alerts.
Quick Prep Checklist
You’ve still got time to get ready, and it doesn’t take much:
-
Bring in or tie down anything loose in your yard — trash bins, toys, patio chairs, that stuff loves to fly when the wind picks up.
-
Park your car somewhere safe, like a garage or under cover, especially if you’re in a hail-prone area.
-
Postpone errands or travel if storms are rolling through during the drive home.
-
Charge your phone and keep a weather app handy — or better yet, a good old-fashioned weather radio.
What’s Next?
Once this storm system moves out, we’ll cool off a bit. Friday will be breezy and cooler, with highs around 60°F and a bit of a chill in the air. Not bad if you’re a fan of sweater weather.
The weekend’s looking a lot nicer — sunny on Saturday, and just a small chance of rain by Easter Sunday. So if you’re planning any outdoor time with the family, you’ll likely be in luck (just maybe keep a jacket nearby).
This is springtime in South Dakota — one minute it’s sunny, the next we’re dodging hail. Just stay weather-aware, keep an eye out Thursday afternoon, and you’ll ride out the storms just fine.
