Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 1, NWS Hastings, NE

March 19, 2020Buffalo County, Kearney County, Phelps County, Nebraska

NWS Hastings, NE issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 19, 2020, 2:43 PM CDT for Buffalo County, Kearney County, Phelps County, Nebraska. It was in force for 47 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 19, 2020, 2:43 PM CDT (19:43 UTC)
Expired
Mar 19, 2020, 3:30 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Hastings, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
50.0 mph

Counties Buffalo County, NE, Kearney County, NE, Phelps County, NE

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:46 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.

The nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 12:00Z, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 135 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, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 12:00Z on 2020-03-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 12:00Z on 2020-03-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 165 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
612 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
165 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
200 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 19, 1:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 19, 1:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
140 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...WE ARE NOW MONITORING RADAR AS SCT TSTMS ARE DEVELOPING...

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 140 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

Plan to keep this brief to maximize availability for monitoring
radar.

Be sure to follow SPC SWOMCD's and any Watches as svr tstms could
occur before sunset.

Aloft: RAP tropopause analyses/WV imagery/aircraft wind obs
indicated a trof over the Wrn USA with a ridge over the GlfMex. A
potent shrtwv trof was embedded within the Wrn trof over CO and
lifting NE into NEB/KS. This trof will cross the CWA this eve.
Behind this trof...a minor shrtwv ridge will arrive by dawn Fri
with low-amplitude WSW flow evolving overhead Fri.

Surface: 998 mb low pres was along the CO-KS border with a strong
warm front extending ENE thru Srn NEB into IA. This front does
bisect the CWA just N of the KS state line. A strong cold front
was over the Nrn plns. This front will move S this afternoon. The
2 fronts will merge and the combined front will accelerate SE away
from the area this eve. The push will be provided by a strong
1040+ mb high over Cntrl Canada which is sinking S. This will
strengthen the pres grad over the rgn tonight. The low will weaken
and a new low will evolve over the GtLks tonight...while the high
sinks into the Nrn Plns. The high will remain there tomorrow.

Rest of this afternoon: Cldy N of the front and mostly sunny to
the S. Expect sct tstms to form espcly near the front. Some storms
could be svr. This will be a low CAPE/higher shear scenario.
Mainly looking like a hail and gusty wind type event. The risk of
a tornado is low as winds will be unidirectional in the warm
sector. Best shear will be on the cold side of the front.

Tonight: Rain changes to brief 3-6 hr period of snow as cold air
slams in here. Snow will essentially be done by midnight or
shortly thereafter. Windy! N winds 25-35 mph with G50. Rapid
clearing from N-S after midnight.

Fri: Sunny. Cold. Diminishing winds.

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
Issued at 140 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

Aloft: No change in the longwave pattern we've seen since mid
Nov...with a trof over the Wrn USA and a ridge over the E. This
will generally translate to continued low-amplitude WSW flow over
NEB/KS. A wk shrtwv trof is fcst to cross the rgn Mon night into
Tue. The last 2 runs of global mdls are in good agreement that the
flow will amplify some late next wk...with the flow turning SW
Thu as the Wrn trof becomes mobile and gets closer.

Surface: The Nrn Plns high will gradually move E thru the wknd
with return flow developing here. A wk cool front is fcst to move
thru Sun night. Multiple lows will then form over the Cntrl US/Can
Tue-Wed. The two that will probably affect the CWA will be Mon
night into Tue...with no cool air behind it...and then Wed night
and there will be a cooldown behind that low.

Temps: Normal daytime highs are low 50s. Temps will be at or
above normal thru next Thu...mostly above normal.

Precip: A couple chances for very light wintry mix or shwrs with
embedded non-svr tstms. Am holding off on much elaboration due to
impending tstm development this afternoon.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Friday)
Issued at 140 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

Significant Wx: IFR with sct +TSRA this afternoon.

This afternoon: IFR CIGs and variable VSBYs between MVFR and IFR.
Sct +TSRA are developing. Not sure either terminal takes a direct
hit...but it's psbl. NNE-N winds gradually incrs 25-35 kt.
Confidence: Medium

Tonight: IFR CIGs/VSBYs as rain changes to snow. Some wet accum
psbl before ending around midnight. De-icing will be required. N
winds increase to around 30 kt with G40-45 kt at times. Rapid
clearing and becoming VFR after midnight. Confidence: High

Fri thru 18Z: VFR. No clds at or below 10K ft. N winds gradually
diminish to 10-20 kt. Confidence: High

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM CDT Friday for NEZ039>041-046-
     047-060-061.

KS...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...Kelley
LONG TERM...Kelley
AVIATION...Kelley
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 19, 1:49 PM CDT, 54 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Hastings NE
149 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
201900-
Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance-
Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York-
Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin-
Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer-
149 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and
portions of north central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are likely this afternoon. A few storms
may be severe...producing hail up to the size of golfballs and
wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

Very low humidity levels and gusty winds will result in near
critical fire weather along and south of Kansas Highway 24.

Rain will change to snow tonight...and some minor accumulation is
possible roughly along and north of Highway 6 in south central
Nebraska. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect along and north
of a line from Lexington to Kearney to Saint Paul to Fullerton
where 1 to 2 inches of accumulation could occur.

North winds will increase to 25 to 35 MPH with gusts between 40
and 50 MPH likely.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

There is a slight chance for a few non-severe thunderstorms
Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed through early this evening.
Spotters and dispatchers...please relay any reports of hail or
wind damage to the National Weather Service.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

Kelley

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 19, 1:50 PM CDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
150 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

NEZ073-074-083-191915-
Phelps NE-Kearney NE-Harlan NE-
150 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN PHELPS...WEST CENTRAL
KEARNEY AND NORTHEASTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM CDT...

At 149 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Huntley, or 12 miles south of Holdrege, moving north at 35 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Holdrege, Axtell, Wilcox, Funk, Atlanta, Huntley and Ragan.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4015 9931 4021 9953 4064 9939 4055 9906
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 200DEG 32KT 4026 9939

Thies
Local storm report, Mar 19, 2:12 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
212 PM CDT THU MAR 19 2020

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

0206 PM     HAIL             HOLDREGE                40.44N 99.38W
03/19/2020  E0.70 INCH       PHELPS             NE   EMERGENCY MNGR

            PEA TO DIME SIZE REPORTED.

&&

KELLEY
Special weather statement, Mar 19, 2:12 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
212 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

NEZ073-074-083-084-191945-
Franklin NE-Phelps NE-Kearney NE-Harlan NE-
212 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN FRANKLIN...SOUTHEASTERN
PHELPS...SOUTHWESTERN KEARNEY AND NORTHEASTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL
245 PM CDT...

At 211 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Republican City, or 22 miles southeast of Holdrege, moving north at
30 mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Axtell, Hildreth, Wilcox and Bloomington.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4050 9924 4045 9889 4008 9903 4011 9927
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 189DEG 26KT 4017 9914

Thies
Special weather statement, Mar 19, 2:15 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
215 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

NEZ077-087-191945-
Thayer NE-Fillmore NE-
215 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FILLMORE AND
NORTHERN THAYER COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM CDT...

At 215 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Milligan to Belvidere. Movement was northeast
at 35 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Milligan, Bruning, Alexandria, Ohiowa, Carleton, Belvidere and
Strang.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

These storms 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.

&&

LAT...LON 4023 9773 4056 9748 4059 9737 4025 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 245DEG 31KT 4052 9737 4027 9758

Thies
Special weather statement, Mar 19, 2:18 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
218 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

NEZ073-074-191945-
Phelps NE-Kearney NE-
218 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN PHELPS AND NORTHWESTERN
KEARNEY COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM CDT...

At 218 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Holdrege, moving north at 30 mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Holdrege and Funk.

LAT...LON 4067 9935 4065 9906 4037 9927 4039 9942
TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 197DEG 26KT 4044 9931

Thies
Local storm report, Mar 19, 2:39 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 18, 10:12 PM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryGIDAdams, Buffalo, Clay, Dawson, Fillmore, Franklin and 18 more10 hr
Mar 19, 3:54 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFranklin36 min
Mar 19, 4:25 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFranklin35 min
Mar 19, 5:01 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDAdams29 min
Mar 19, 5:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDClay37 min
Mar 19, 1:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDHarlan, Phelps25 min
Mar 19, 2:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFranklin33 min
Mar 19, 2:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFillmore30 min
Mar 19, 2:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDPhelps27 min
Mar 19, 2:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFillmore30 min
Mar 19, 2:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDKearney44 min
Mar 19, 3:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDNuckolls51 min
Mar 19, 3:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDClay29 min
Mar 19, 3:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDClay, Fillmore, Nuckolls35 min
Mar 19, 3:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDHall34 min
Mar 19, 3:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDBuffalo47 min
Mar 19, 3:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDClay29 min
Mar 19, 3:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFillmore26 min
Mar 19, 3:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDFillmore, York34 min
Mar 19, 4:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDHamilton27 min
Mar 19, 4:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDHall36 min
Mar 19, 4:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDFillmore, York24 min
Mar 19, 4:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDYork36 min
Mar 19, 4:40 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDHoward35 min
Mar 19, 5:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDPolk36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2020Every 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.