Overview
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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. |
 Skyline Drive, Rapid City, SD Courtesy Candyse Arivett |
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Wind Damage Photos & Video
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| Rapid City, SD Courtesy Joanna Schleich |
Box Elder, SD Courtesy Julie Williams |
Rapid City, SD Courtesy Jesse Hartpence |
Near Custer, SD Courtesy Lori Lei |
Custer County Sheriff
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| Courtesy Custer County Sheriff | |||
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| 3 South of Mission, SD Courtesy Katie Anna Alayne |
Near Custer, SD Courtesy Cherie Lonas Mamula |
Argyle, SD Courtesy Jamie Williams |
Piedmont, SD Courtesy Karen Carlton |
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| Chapel Valley in Rapid City, SD Courtesy Kathi Maxson |
Rapid City, SD Courtesy Marla Demicco |
Rapid City, SD Courtesy Michelle Muellenberg Pawelski |
Nisland, SD Courtesy Natalie Lawrence Johnson |
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| Sturgis, SD Courtesy Becky Flanagan |
Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD Courtesy Candyse Arivett |
Rapid City, SD Courtesy Rachel Wenzel |
Rapid Valley, SD Courtesy Jessica Quick |
2 Miles Northeast of Hayward, SD
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| Courtesy Bonnie Rolof Niemann | |||
Storm Reports
...MAXIMUM OBSERVED WINDS SORTED BY MAGNITUDE... LOCATION MAX WIND COMMENTS MPH 4 S Dwtn Rapid City SD 101 312 AM 12/18/2025 1 ENE Mud Butte SD 100 1150 PM 12/17/2025 8 NNE Ellsworth AFB SD 100 425 AM 12/18/2025 1 N Buffalo SD 96 1050 PM 12/17/2025 13 NE Newell SD 95 228 AM 12/18/2025 8 WNW Fairburn SD 95 418 AM 12/18/2025 Rapid City Arpt SD 94 513 AM 12/18/2025 11 SSE Hereford SD 94 300 AM 12/18/2025 3 NW Wasta SD 93 353 AM 12/18/2025 7 NNE Ellsworth AFB SD 92 438 AM 12/18/2025 1 E Dwtn Rapid City SD 91 456 AM 12/18/2025 8 E Prairie City SD 91 113 AM 12/18/2025 7 E Sturgis SD 91 255 AM 12/18/2025 10 W Edgemont SD 89 336 AM 12/18/2025 3 W Union Center SD 89 231 AM 12/18/2025 4 E Cactus Flat SD 88 323 AM 12/18/2025 11 W Hot Springs SD 87 213 AM 12/18/2025 3 E Philip SD 86 306 AM 12/18/2025 1 NE Echeta WY 85 751 PM 12/17/2025 1 NNE Faith SD 85 309 AM 12/18/2025 1 W Box Elder SD 84 431 AM 12/18/2025 8 N Redig SD 84 1036 PM 12/17/2025 10 NNW Ottumwa SD 84 428 AM 12/18/2025 6 W Cottonwood SD 84 324 AM 12/18/2025 5 WNW New Underwood SD 83 514 AM 12/18/2025 6 WSW Fairpoint SD 83 200 AM 12/18/2025 3 NNW Scenic SD 83 341 AM 12/18/2025 4 N Ludlow SD 83 1258 AM 12/18/2025 13 NW Belle Fourche SD 82 258 AM 12/18/2025 12 WSW Castle Rock SD 82 1210 AM 12/18/2025 9 S Camp Crook SD 81 1055 PM 12/17/2025 Howes SD 81 347 AM 12/18/2025 13 SSW Reva SD 80 241 AM 12/18/2025 15 SSE Mission SD 80 434 AM 12/18/2025 8 S Sorum SD 80 150 AM 12/18/2025 7 WSW Hoover SD 80 1138 PM 12/17/2025 2 E Elm Springs SD 80 315 AM 12/18/2025 7 W Ardmore SD 80 400 AM 12/18/2025 1 WNW Caputa SD 79 525 AM 12/18/2025 7 SSE Meadow SD 79 151 AM 12/18/2025 2 ENE Rockerville SD 79 216 AM 12/18/2025 Ellsworth AFB SD 79 510 AM 12/18/2025 Union Center SD 79 200 AM 12/18/2025 1 WSW Red Elm SD 78 248 AM 12/18/2025 Pringle SD 78 116 AM 12/18/2025 8 SE Mud Butte SD 78 1145 PM 12/17/2025 8 W Buffalo SD 78 140 AM 12/18/2025 8 NW Colony WY 77 1222 AM 12/18/2025 6 NE Summerset SD 77 427 AM 12/18/2025 4 WNW Cedar Butte SD 77 240 AM 12/18/2025 1 W Wind Cave Visitors Center 77 613 AM 12/18/2025 Usta SD 77 128 AM 12/18/2025 2 N Summerset SD 77 445 AM 12/18/2025 17 NNW New Haven WY 77 1248 AM 12/18/2025 3 NNE Harrington SD 76 505 AM 12/18/2025 9 ENE Belvidere SD 76 257 AM 12/18/2025 1 WSW Bison SD 76 220 AM 12/18/2025 1 NNW Nisland SD 76 1250 AM 12/18/2025 1 ESE Ladner SD 76 925 PM 12/17/2025 8 WNW Usta SD 76 230 AM 12/18/2025 14 WNW Lodgepole SD 76 100 AM 12/18/2025 6 W Parmelee SD 75 528 AM 12/18/2025 4 SSE Witten SD 75 454 AM 12/18/2025 2 SSW Custer SD 75 131 AM 12/18/2025 2 E Cottonwood SD 75 300 AM 12/18/2025 14 NNW Edgemont SD 75 315 AM 12/18/2025 27 WNW Castle Rock SD 75 256 AM 12/18/2025 11 SW Parmelee SD 75 458 AM 12/18/2025 7 E Wanblee SD 75 419 AM 12/18/2025 10 W Reva SD 74 950 PM 12/17/2025 2 ENE Sheridan Lake SD 74 435 AM 12/18/2025 11 SSW Oelrichs SD 74 355 AM 12/18/2025 12 E Oelrichs SD 74 417 AM 12/18/2025 3 N Redig SD 74 210 AM 12/18/2025 17 W Castle Rock SD 74 1215 AM 12/18/2025 5 NNW Dwtn Gillette WY 74 722 PM 12/17/2025 7 S Shadehill SD 73 308 AM 12/18/2025 9 ENE Camp Crook SD 73 1005 PM 12/17/2025 6 ESE Scenic SD 73 445 AM 12/18/2025 8 S Wall SD 73 720 AM 12/18/2025 Wasta SD 73 330 AM 12/18/2025 14 E Glad Valley SD 73 350 AM 12/18/2025 3 W Lemmon SD 73 241 AM 12/18/2025 5 SW Aladdin WY 73 124 AM 12/18/2025 10 S Upton WY 73 136 AM 12/18/2025 7 NNE Ralph SD 72 917 PM 12/17/2025 9 SW Batesland SD 72 535 AM 12/18/2025 25 ESE Wright WY 71 405 AM 12/18/2025 4 ENE Martin SD 71 545 AM 12/18/2025 10 NNE White River SD 71 459 AM 12/18/2025 1 NNW Piedmont SD 71 350 AM 12/18/2025 10 WSW Ottumwa SD 71 135 AM 12/18/2025 10 ESE Oelrichs SD 71 400 AM 12/18/2025 1 SSE Kyle SD 70 835 PM 12/17/2025 8 W Jewel Cave SD 70 141 AM 12/18/2025 1 E Lead SD 70 110 AM 12/18/2025 2 W Hamill SD 70 545 AM 12/18/2025 7 ESE Rosebud SD 70 720 AM 12/18/2025 5 WNW Jewel Cave SD 69 155 AM 12/18/2025 1 NE Winner SD 69 641 AM 12/18/2025 2 NNW Pactola Res SD 69 233 AM 12/18/2025 3 ENE Midland SD 69 140 AM 12/18/2025 8 NNW Oshoto WY 69 249 AM 12/18/2025 3 ESE Lemmon SD 68 1255 AM 12/18/2025 5 NW Kadoka SD 68 305 AM 12/18/2025 11 W Milesville SD 68 115 AM 12/18/2025 1 WSW South Eagle Butte SD 68 355 AM 12/18/2025 Wewela SD 68 605 AM 12/18/2025 7 NNE Rochelle WY 67 119 AM 12/18/2025 Sundance WY 67 230 AM 12/18/2025 5 NE Porcupine SD 67 641 AM 12/18/2025 7 SSW Folsom SD 67 510 AM 12/18/2025 2 WNW Custer SD 67 324 AM 12/18/2025 10 NE Cherry Creek SD 66 425 AM 12/18/2025 4 NNE Colome SD 66 415 AM 12/18/2025 Bison SD 66 855 PM 12/17/2025 5 ENE Wanblee SD 66 535 AM 12/18/2025 2 SW Bridger SD 66 104 AM 12/18/2025 4 N Silver City SD 66 118 AM 12/18/2025 Four Corners WY 66 1256 AM 12/18/2025 6 NW Hulett WY 66 121 AM 12/18/2025 9 NNE Edgemont SD 65 457 AM 12/18/2025 1 S White River SD 65 630 PM 12/17/2025 11 NE Morrisey WY 64 123 AM 12/18/2025 15 SSE Sundance WY 64 1256 AM 12/18/2025 4 W Dwtn Rapid City SD 64 316 AM 12/18/2025 Wright WY 64 245 AM 12/18/2025 6 WSW Opal SD 64 400 AM 12/18/2025 3 SE Dwtn Spearfish SD 63 211 AM 12/18/2025 4 WSW Reva SD 62 1040 PM 12/17/2025 6 W Rochford SD 62 408 AM 12/18/2025 Jewel Cave SD 62 1255 AM 12/18/2025 8 SSW Folsom SD 61 716 PM 12/17/2025 2 ENE Osage WY 61 233 AM 12/18/2025 6 WNW Newcastle WY 61 155 AM 12/18/2025 3 ESE Pine Ridge SD 60 236 AM 12/18/2025 6 NNW Dwtn Spearfish SD 60 110 AM 12/18/2025 7 N Pine Haven WY 60 155 AM 12/18/2025 12 NNW Alva WY 60 1229 AM 12/18/2025 1 SW Rockyford SD 60 535 AM 12/18/2025 8 WSW Swett SD 59 550 AM 12/18/2025 Nemo SD 59 157 AM 12/18/2025 13 W Oglala SD 57 255 AM 12/18/2025 2 E Sturgis SD 56 300 AM 12/18/2025 5 ENE Pine Ridge SD 56 510 AM 12/18/2025 4 NNE Angostura Res SD 56 135 AM 12/18/2025 2 SSE Dwtn Rapid City SD 56 332 AM 12/18/2025 2 SSW Oral SD 55 405 PM 12/17/2025 4 NW Cheyenne Crossing SD 54 122 AM 12/18/2025 7 S Alva WY 52 155 AM 12/18/2025 10 ESE Pine Haven WY 52 346 PM 12/17/2025 3 WSW Fairburn SD 51 324 PM 12/17/2025 1 ESE Martin SD 51 435 AM 12/18/2025 10 S Hot Springs SD 51 416 PM 12/17/2025
Records
Two all-time record wind gusts were established early in the morning on December 18, 2025. The Rapid City Regional Airport recorded a gust of 94 MPH at 5:13 AM MST. Our office, located in east Rapid City, SD, documented a gust of 91 MPH at 4:56 AM MST. These gradient wind gusts are particularly notable given that the wind data includes thunderstorm wind gusts. Presented below are the Top 10 highest wind gusts for both locations.
NWS Office East Rapid City 1) 91 mph - Dec. 18, 2025 2) 81 mph - Oct. 18, 2012 3) 80 mph - Mar. 23, 2009 4) 77 mph - Jan. 12, 2009 5) 76 mph - Dec. 25, 2009 6) 75 mph - Apr. 5, 2016 7) 75 mph - Jul. 15, 2001 8) 75 mph - Jun. 12, 2000 9) 75 mph - Oct. 4, 1998 10) 74 mph - Dec. 30, 2008 Rapid City Regional Airport 1) 94 mph - Dec. 18, 2025 2) 89 mph - Jul. 20, 2002 3) 83 mph - Aug. 8, 2016 4) 83 mph - Jun. 26, 2009 5) 77 mph - Nov. 5, 2008 6) 77 mph - Jan. 22, 1967 7) 76 mph - Apr. 5, 2016 8) 76 mph - Nov. 6, 2008 9) 75 mph - Dec. 21, 2018 10) 75 mph - Jun. 27, 2017
Meteorology
A series of fronts moved through the northern Plains December 17-18, 2025. The first front was a warm front that moved through on December 17 in the morning. Behind the warm front, strong gusty southwest winds developed over northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota with wind gusts as high as 77 MPH (KSPF - Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field) at 115 PM on December 17. The first cold front moved through late in the afternoon on December 17 with a several hour period of enhanced strong northwest winds. The second and strongest cold front passed through from late evening on December 17 to the morning of December 18. This is when the strongest wind gusts occurred, peaking around 100 MPH for a few locations.
Surface Maps
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| Surface Map December 17, 2025 200 PM MST |
Surface Map December 17, 2025 500 PM MST |
Surface Map December 17, 2025 1100 PM MST |
Surface Map December 18, 2025 500 AM MST |
3-Hour Pressure Changes
We have a rule of thumb we use to quantify the potential wind gusts for northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. This rule of thumb helps us validate deterministic and probabilistic weather data. The rule of thumb is that for every millibar of pressure fall or rise in 3 hours, potential wind gusts are 10 mph. This rule of thumb worked fairly well with 4-8mb/3hr pressure falls behind the warm front and 7-9mb/3hr pressure rises behind the cold fronts.
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| 3-hour Pressure Change Ending December 17, 2025 100 PM MST |
3-hour Pressure Change Ending December 17, 2025 1000 PM MST |
3-hour Pressure Change Ending December 18, 2025 500 AM MST |
NWS East Rapid City, SD Weather Data
At our office, we log high resolution temperature, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, and pressure data. We recorded ~10mb/3hr pressure rise from December 18, 2025 300 AM to 600 AM. Our highest wind gusts was recorded during this period - 91 MPH at 456 AM. The Rapid City Regional Airport recorded their highest wind gust of 94 MPH at 513 AM.
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| NWS Rapid City, SD 24-hour Pressure Plot for December 17, 2025 | NWS Rapid City, SD 24-hour Pressure Plot for December 18, 2025 | NWS Rapid City, SD Temperature, Dew Point, Wind Chill, and Relative Humidity for December 17-28, 2025 | NWS Rapid City, SD Wind Speed and Wind Gusts for December 17-28, 2025 |
The Forecast
Gauging high-end weather events can be challenging sometimes because "they've never been captured before" in model data. One tool that painted the high-end nature of this wind event was the ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index with Shift of Tails. The guidance consistently depicted an 80-100th percentile wind gust evening with 0-2 shift of tails.
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| ECMWF Extreme Forecast (24-48h) Index and Shift of Tails for Wind Gusts 00z Thu Dec 18 2025 to 00z Fri Dec 19 2025 | ECMWF Extreme Forecast (12-36h) Index and Shift of Tails for Wind Gusts 00z Thu Dec 18 2025 to 00z Fri Dec 19 2025 |
Fires
The high winds propelled fires on the afternoon of December 17, 2025. The fires were quickly addressed by the various fire angencies in the Black Hills.
Skyline Drive Fire in Rapid City, SD
Brush fire on skyline dr in Rapid City. Crews currently responding. pic.twitter.com/O0wcoTGg1W
— Blake Troli (@BlakeTroli) December 17, 2025
Greyhound Fire near Keystone, SD
The Greyhound Fire is 2-3 miles south of Keystone and is moving east. It is currently at 150 acres. Hwy 40 and Playhouse Rd are closed due to firefighter activity.
— Pennington County SO (@PennCoSheriff) December 18, 2025
There are currently evacuations along highway 40 between Playhouse Rd and Rushmore Ranch Rd expanding 2 miles north. pic.twitter.com/VWs74sfQ1m
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