Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 73, NWS Cheyenne, WY

July 2, 2020Box Butte County, Dawes County, Nebraska

NWS Cheyenne, WY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 2, 2020, 4:59 PM MDT for Box Butte County, Dawes County, Nebraska. It was in force for 61 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jul 2, 2020, 4:59 PM MDT (22:59 UTC)
Expired: Jul 2, 2020, 6:00 PM MDT
In force: 61 min
Issued by: NWS Cheyenne, WY
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 2.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Box Butte County, NE, Dawes County, NE

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 190 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:01 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 2, 5:15 PM MDT	HAIL 2.75	4 Ene Marsland, NE	NWS DAMAGE SURVEY CONFIRMED BASEBALL SIZED HAIL AT A RANCH RESIDENCE. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
Jul 2, 5:26 PM MDT	TORNADO	9 Nnw Hemingford, NE	CORRECTED LOCATION.
Jul 2, 5:28 PM MDT	TORNADO	3 E Marsland, NE	TREE DAMAGE, CENTER PIVOT DAMAGE, AND THREE STEEL UTILITY POLES DOWN.
Jul 2, 5:30 PM MDT	TORNADO	3 Ene Marsland, NE	NWS DAMAGE SURVEY CONFIRMED EF-2 TORNADO BETWEEN 526-535 PM MDT ON 7/2/20. TORNADO DEVELOPED 5.8 E MARSLAND AND TRAVELED WNW FOR 3.4 MILES. SEVERAL LARGE HARDWOOD TREE TRUNKS/BRANCHES SNAPPED. TREES UPROOTED. CENTER PIVOT MANGLED. 3 STEEL POWER POLES BENT AT B

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 16 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Rapid City, SD (KUNR), launched 12:00Z, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 184 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1543 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -273 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1698 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 35 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

335 
WUUS55 KCYS 022259
SVRCYS
NEC013-045-030000-
/O.NEW.KCYS.SV.W.0073.200702T2259Z-200703T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
459 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  North central Box Butte County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...
  Southeastern Dawes County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...

* Until 600 PM MDT.

* At 458 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Box Butte
  Campground, or 25 miles southwest of Chadron, moving southeast at
  15 mph.

  This is a very dangerous storm.

  HAZARD...Baseball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be severely injured. 
           Expect shattered windows, extensive damage to roofs, 
           siding, and vehicles.

* Locations impacted include...
  Hemingford, Box Butte Campground, Box Butte Dam and Marsland. 

This replaces the Severe Thunderstorm Warning which was previously 
in effect for the warned area. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This thunderstorm is capable of producing all types of severe weather
including extremely large hail, destructive straight line winds and
tornadoes. Move quickly to a safe shelter such as an interior room, a
bathroom, closet or basement.

&&

LAT...LON 4219 10309 4248 10339 4262 10330 4256 10277
      4250 10277
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 299DEG 12KT 4249 10323 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...2.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Hammer

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 2, 2:41 PM MDT, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 2:41 PM MDT, 2 hours 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
241 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 218 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

A few storms trying to pop up along and near the Wyoming-Nebraska
border as of 2 PM. Otherwise, skies are generally clear to partly
cloudy. Dewpoints are 30 degrees or less across Wyoming, but get
as high as 60-70 degrees across the northern and southern
portions of the Nebraska Panhandle. There is a chance of strong
to severe storms developing across these two portions of the
Panhandle, but these chances are isolated at best. Under a stiff
southerly flow that has continued wind gusts into the 20-30 mph
range across the Panhandle today, some midlevel moisture has been
able to sneak into the region. With a deep, dry surface layer
intact, strong, gusty winds will be the primary threat should a
thunderstorms develop, but areas across Niobrara, Sioux, Box
Butte, Dawes, Morrill and Cheyenne Counties all display sufficient
shear and CAPE for hail greater than an inch to be considered a
secondary threat. Also need to note that any storm will be
unlikely to produce much, if any precipitation, therefore, looking
at dry lightning as a primary concern as well. Best chances for
occurrence will be between 3-7 pm, as also indicated by hires
model output at this time. Areas near any vertically building
storms will have to stay alert for any outflow boundaries that may
develop.

Storm potential diminishes quickly before sunset, just as a strong
low-level jet redevelops overnight across the Panhandle. This
will lead to increasing daytime humidities across the Pinwheeled
and areas in Wyoming near the Nebraska border. Looking at a repeat
of this afternoon's conditions and storm potential tomorrow and
again Saturday as the upper level ridge to the east builds
further westward day-by-day. Overnight low-level jet winds will
kick up each night, moving progressively west, and with that, an
expansion of moisture further to the west, for afternoon
thunderstorm potential inching further west day-by-day for the
beginning of this holiday weekend. As moisture continues to build
in, we may see better shower potential across the far eastern
portion of the region, but strong gusty winds will remain the
primary threat with these storms with inverted-v profiles
remaining with us. Note that as the region has been under a dry
spell for quite some time, that between dry thunderstorm potential
and dry fuels/vegetation, fire starts are a true concern this
holiday weekend. If holiday plans include setting off fireworks,
do so in a safe manner and look up your area's latest burn
restrictions.

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
Issued at 218 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

Warm temperatures will hold across the CWA this period with the
upper pattern featuring an upper high over the desert sw through
Monday then edging a little northeast and into this area by
midweek. There will be daily chances for showers and tstms Sunday
through Tuesday as weak impulses move by on the top of the upper
high. Convection should be more isolated for Weds and Thursday as
the upper high builds closer and mid level temperatures warm.
Winds light for the most part which will alleviate fire weather
concerns somewhat.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday morning)
Issued at 1114 AM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

VFR conditions prevailing at all sites through the period. Isolated
showers and tstms possible over the Neb Panhandle from about mid-
afternoon into this evening. Otherwise some gusty southerly winds a
cross the area into this evening with some gusts to near 30 kts at
times.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 218 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

Dry conditions continue in the near-term as a warm southwest flow
aloft sets in across southeast Wyoming and the west Nebraska
Panhandle. Daily chances for afternoon LAL 2/6 thunderstorms,
inching further west by the day over the course of the weekend.
Overnight low-level jet will bring strong overnight winds to the
Panhandle; otherwise, wind gusts will be generally less than 25
mph for the next few days during peak heating. Humidities in the
teens will persist across portions of southeast WY through the
period.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...None.
NE...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...AB
LONG TERM...RE
AVIATION...RE
FIRE WEATHER...AB

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 2:45 PM MDT, 2 hours 14 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
245 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101-102-107-108-117>119-
032045-
Dawes-Box Butte-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County-Morrill-
Kimball County-Cheyenne-North Sioux-South Sioux-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
245 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of panhandle
Nebraska...western Nebraska...east central Wyoming and southeast
Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through this
evening. A few strong to severe storms are possible across the
Nebraska Panhandle, and into Niobrara County. Main threats will
be strong downburst winds, but hail will also be possible with the
strongest storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible through the
weekend.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

WYZ103>106-109>116-032045-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
Central Carbon County-North Snowy Range Foothills-
Southwest Carbon County-Sierra Madre Range-
Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range-Laramie Valley-
South Laramie Range-
245 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Wyoming and southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

Warm and dry conditions will result in elevated fire weather
conditions as wind gusts to 25 MPH, paired with low humidities are
expected. Thunderstorms will generally be dry thunderstorms as
well.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

Elevated fire weather conditions and isolated thunderstorms are
possible through the weekend.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:40 PM MDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
340 PM MDT THU JUL 2 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0335 PM     HAIL             LORENZO                 41.03N 103.05W
07/02/2020  E1.50 INCH       CHEYENNE           NE   CO-OP OBSERVER

&&

RUBIN

Local storm report, Jul 2, 3:55 PM MDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
355 PM MDT THU JUL 2 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0341 PM     HAIL             REDINGTON               41.59N 103.30W
07/02/2020  E0.88 INCH       MORRILL            NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

RUBIN

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 4:21 PM MDT, 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
421 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

NEZ021-055-022300-
Cheyenne NE-Morrill NE-
421 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN CHEYENNE AND
SOUTHWESTERN MORRILL COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM MDT...

At 421 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles north of Potter, or 23 miles northeast of Kimball, moving east
at 10 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Cheyenne and southwestern Morrill Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Cheyenne.

&&

LAT...LON 4135 10337 4148 10336 4157 10313 4146 10300
      4123 10303
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 279DEG 8KT 4140 10327

Hammer

Local storm report, Jul 2, 4:23 PM MDT, 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
423 PM MDT THU JUL 2 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0420 PM     HAIL             8 SE CRAWFORD           42.60N 103.30W
07/02/2020  E1.75 INCH       DAWES              NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

RUBIN

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 4:41 PM MDT, 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
441 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

NEZ021-022330-
Morrill NE-
441 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL MORRILL COUNTY UNTIL 530
PM MDT...

At 441 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Court House And Jail Rocks, or 33 miles north of Sidney, moving
northeast at 25 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Bridgeport, Northport, The Intersection Of Highway 385 And 92, Court
House And Jail Rocks, Bridgeport State Recreation Area, Angora, The
Intersection Of Highway 385 And L62 and Broadwater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Cheyenne.

&&

LAT...LON 4146 10315 4158 10327 4197 10318 4194 10268
      4174 10266 4174 10264 4164 10264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 210DEG 24KT 4160 10312

Hammer

Local storm report, Jul 2, 4:54 PM MDT, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
454 PM MDT THU JUL 2 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0453 PM     HAIL             BRIDGEPORT              41.67N 103.10W
07/02/2020  E1.00 INCH       MORRILL            NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PENNY TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL FALLING.

&&

RUBIN

The office that day

Everything else NWS Cheyenne, WY issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 2, 2:44 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	CYS	Sioux	46 min
Jul 2, 3:24 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	CYS	Dawes	51 min
Jul 2, 3:29 PM MDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CYS	Cheyenne	46 min
Jul 2, 3:38 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	CYS	Morrill	52 min
Jul 2, 4:12 PM MDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CYS	Box Butte, Dawes	48 min
Jul 2, 4:21 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	CYS	Cheyenne	39 min
Jul 2, 4:41 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	CYS	Morrill	49 min
Jul 2, 4:48 PM MDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CYS	Morrill	42 min
Jul 2, 5:14 PM MDT	Tornado Warning	CYS	Box Butte, Dawes	46 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2020 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

Sources

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