Rapid City, South Dakota, Supercell Stands Still – And Is Spectacular

Jon Erdman
Published: June 2,2015





 

A South Dakota supercell thunderstorm Monday evening provided a spectacular view.
The lone supercell formed just after 5 p.m. MDT near a stretch of Interstate 90 between Sturgis and Rapid City, the state's second-largest city.
What set this supercell apart from others earlier in the spring was its slow movement. For three hours, this supercell sagged slowly south at 5 mph.
It was a photographer's dream.
(MORE: Supercell GIFs | Drone Flies Inside a Supercell)

Lightning strike as viewed from Skyline Ridge southwest of downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 1, 2015.

Photos posted to The Weather Channel Facebook page show the spectacular structure of what appeared to be a high-precipitation  (HP) supercell, one in which the updraft becomes wrapped in rain.
(MORE: Learn About Supercells)
One photo from Natasha Middle Last vividly depicts the supercell's rain and hailshaft against a backlit sky.
The supercell produced golf ball- to tennis ball-size hail near the towns of Tilford, Piedmont and Black Hawk, northwest of Rapid City, before sagging west.
No tornadoes were reported, but a funnel cloud was sighted near Piedmont.

Typical of slow-moving HP supercells, flash flooding eventually developed.
Widespread 2-5 inch rain totals, with locally higher amounts, caused Box Elder and Elk creeks to flood Monday night.

MORE: Rapid City, South Dakota Supercell Photos - June 1, 2015