Are You Weather Ready? South Dakota and Minnesota Set to Mark Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Following an unusually long and volatile 2025 storm season, the National Weather Service (NWS) has designated April 13-17, 2026, as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in South Dakota and Minnesota.

Local meteorologists and emergency officials are urging residents and business owners to use this week to review safety protocols before the peak of summer storm activity arrives.

A Busy Road Ahead: Lessons from 2025

The call for preparation comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for regional weather. Kelly Serr, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the NWS in Aberdeen, noted that the 2025 season defied traditional timelines.

“South Dakota’s 2025 severe weather season was unusually long and busy,” says Serr. “In fact, for our area, the first tornado of last season was documented in February, and the last tornado occurred in September!”

With the “storm window” seemingly expanding, officials emphasize that waiting until a warning is issued is often too late to formulate a plan.

Five Days, Five Themes

To help citizens focus their efforts, each day of the week is dedicated to a specific weather hazard. Residents are encouraged to review the following topics:

·         Monday, April 13: Weather Alerts and Warnings (Understanding the difference between a “Watch” and a “Warning”).

·         Tuesday, April 14: Severe Storms (Focusing on high winds, hail, and lightning).

·         Wednesday, April 15: Flash Floods.

·         Thursday, April 16: Tornado Safety (Including identifying the safest room in your home or office).

·         Friday, April 17: Extreme Heat and Wildfire.

A Wake-Up Call for Local Businesses

While many families have a basic “basement plan,” the NWS is shining a spotlight on workplace safety this year. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an estimated 62% of businesses lack an emergency plan.

Officials recommend that local business owners use this week to conduct drills and ensure employees know where to go when sirens sound. “Now is the time to develop and practice plans for the safety of your employees,” Serr added

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Local Drills and Sirens

Throughout the week, individual communities may test their outdoor warning sirens or conduct local weather drills. Residents should check with their local emergency management office for specific schedules regarding siren tests in their town.

For more information on severe weather safety, visit weather.gov/abr or follow NWS Aberdeen on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates and educational graphics.