Rapid City, SD Tornado History — 48 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rapid City, SD had?
Rapid City has had 48 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Rapid City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rapid City was an EF0 on May 6, 2023.
When is tornado season in Rapid City?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rapid City, with 17 on record. April through June account for 34 of the 48 tornadoes on record near Rapid City.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Rapid City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Rapid City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rapid City from any of the 48 tornadoes since 1950, though 35 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rapid City
What the record shows near Rapid City
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Rapid City, with 20 of the 48 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 2 so far. The Rapid City record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Rapid City, 41 reached EF0 or EF1 and 7 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Rapid City is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Rapid City has averaged 0.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 7 in total. 2013 was the busiest of them with 2, and 14 of those years passed with none at all.