Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 1998

Tornado Warning 77, NWS Omaha, NE

October 4, 1998Jefferson County, Saline County, Nebraska

NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at Oct 4, 1998, 4:30 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Saline County, Nebraska. It was in force for 50 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Oct 4, 1998, 4:30 PM CDT (21:30 UTC)
Expired
Oct 4, 1998, 5:20 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Omaha, NE
Area
Whole counties

Counties Jefferson County, NE, Saline County, NE

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Oct 4, 5:10 PM CDTHail 0.75Daykin, NE

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Oct 4, 3:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 126 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 1998-10-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 1998-10-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 65 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
557 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
65 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
114 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

933 
WFUS1 KOMA 042131 RRA
TOROMA
NEC095-151-042220-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
430 PM CDT SUN OCT 4 1998

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SALINE COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA
  JEFFERSON COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA

* UNTIL 520 PM CDT

* AT 430 PM CDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  A POSSIBLE TORNADO 51 MILES SOUTH OF YORK OR 21 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
  DAYKIN MOVING NORTH NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

* THE TORNADO IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR...
  DAYKIN                       AROUND 450 PM CDT

PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO SHOULD TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY TO
SAVE YOUR LIVES.  MOVE TO A STURDY BUILDING...A BASEMENT IF
POSSIBLE AND COVER YOUR HEAD FOR PROTECTION FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

GW

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 4, 1:01 PM CDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
101 PM CDT SUN OCT 04 1998

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1110 AM    ELKHORN                   NE   1.25 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1114 AM    UEHLING                   NE   1.75 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DODGE

1125 AM    3 WSW BENNINGTON          NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1130 AM    3 W ELKHORN               NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    DOUGLAS                   NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   OTOE

ZAPOTOCNY
Local storm report, Oct 4, 1:01 PM CDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
101 PM CDT SUN OCT 04 1998

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1110 AM    ELKHORN                   NE   1.25 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1114 AM    UEHLING                   NE   1.75 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DODGE

1125 AM    3 WSW BENNINGTON          NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1130 AM    3 W ELKHORN               NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    DOUGLAS                   NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   OTOE

ZAPOTOCNY
Local storm report, Oct 4, 1:39 PM CDT, 2 hours 51 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED 3W ELKHORN REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
139 PM CDT SUN OCT 04 1998

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1110 AM    ELKHORN                   NE   1.25 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1114 AM    UEHLING                   NE   1.75 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DODGE

1125 AM    3 WSW BENNINGTON          NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    3 W ELKHORN               NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    DOUGLAS                   NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   OTOE

ZAPOTOCNY
Local storm report, Oct 4, 1:39 PM CDT, 2 hours 51 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED 3W ELKHORN REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
139 PM CDT SUN OCT 04 1998

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1110 AM    ELKHORN                   NE   1.25 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1114 AM    UEHLING                   NE   1.75 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DODGE

1125 AM    3 WSW BENNINGTON          NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    3 W ELKHORN               NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   DOUGLAS

1230 PM    DOUGLAS                   NE   1 INCH HAIL
10/04/98   OTOE

ZAPOTOCNY
Special weather statement, Oct 4, 4:30 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-
IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-051200-

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
430 PM CDT SUN OCT 4 1998

...SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA...

SPOTTER ACTION...
STORM SPOTTERS ARE LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED OVER EASTERN NEBRASKA
AND SOUTHWEST IOWA INTO THE NIGHT.

DISCUSSION...
A STRONG STORM CIRCULATION OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS HAS
RECEIVED FURTHER SUPPORT THIS AFTERNOON FROM THE JET STREAM FROM THE
SOUTHWEST.  THERE IS A THREAT FOR MORE SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS EASTERN
NEBRASKA THIS EVENING...POSSIBLY SPREADING INTO SOUTHWEST IOWA AS THE
EVENING PROGRESSES.  BRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA ALSO.

IN ADDITION TO THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER...THE THUNDERSTORMS COULD
CAUSE SOME LOCAL FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINS...ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST
NEBRASKA WHERE HEAVIER RAINS HAVE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST
COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...BESIDES THE RAIN...IS FOR LARGE
HAIL...BUT DAMAGING WINDS AND EVEN TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE.

POWERS
Special weather statement, Oct 4, 4:30 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-
IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-051200-

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
430 PM CDT SUN OCT 4 1998

...SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA...

SPOTTER ACTION...
STORM SPOTTERS ARE LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED OVER EASTERN NEBRASKA
AND SOUTHWEST IOWA INTO THE NIGHT.

DISCUSSION...
A STRONG STORM CIRCULATION OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS HAS
RECEIVED FURTHER SUPPORT THIS AFTERNOON FROM THE JET STREAM FROM THE
SOUTHWEST.  THERE IS A THREAT FOR MORE SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS EASTERN
NEBRASKA THIS EVENING...POSSIBLY SPREADING INTO SOUTHWEST IOWA AS THE
EVENING PROGRESSES.  BRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA ALSO.

IN ADDITION TO THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER...THE THUNDERSTORMS COULD
CAUSE SOME LOCAL FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINS...ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST
NEBRASKA WHERE HEAVIER RAINS HAVE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST
COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...BESIDES THE RAIN...IS FOR LARGE
HAIL...BUT DAMAGING WINDS AND EVEN TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE.

POWERS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 4, 7:48 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXMadison, Platte47 min
Oct 4, 8:07 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXPierce, Wayne33 min
Oct 4, 10:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Otoe35 min
Oct 4, 10:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Dodge32 min
Oct 4, 11:20 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXDouglas, Washington35 min
Oct 4, 11:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt36 min
Oct 4, 11:46 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXDouglas, Sarpy34 min
Oct 4, 11:46 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass34 min
Oct 4, 12:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXOtoe34 min
Oct 4, 12:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Sarpy30 min
Oct 4, 12:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXWashington35 min
Oct 4, 12:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXDouglas35 min
Oct 4, 2:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXSeward35 min
Oct 4, 2:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBoone33 min
Oct 4, 3:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler34 min
Oct 4, 5:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Lancaster, Saline47 min
Oct 4, 6:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Otoe35 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 1998Every tornado warning in 1998Tornadoes in 1998

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.