Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 9, NWS Cheyenne, WY

May 14, 2025Banner County, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska

NWS Cheyenne, WY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 14, 2025, 5:11 PM MDT for Banner County, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. It was in force for 34 min. 3 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
May 14, 2025, 5:11 PM MDT (23:11 UTC)
Expired
May 14, 2025, 5:45 PM MDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Cheyenne, WY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Banner County, NE, Scotts Bluff County, NE

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:11 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
May 14, 5:11 PM MDTHAIL 1.255 N Scottsbluff, NE
May 14, 5:11 PM MDTHAIL 1.751 N Scottsbluff, NE
May 14, 5:34 PM MDTTSTM WND GST 602 W Gering, NEBFF RAWS site.

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 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 0 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

Riverton, WY (KRIW), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 421 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, Riverton, WY at 12:00Z on 2025-05-14Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Riverton, WY at 12:00Z on 2025-05-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -29 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
989 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
77 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

137 
WUUS55 KCYS 142311
SVRCYS
NEC007-157-142345-
/O.NEW.KCYS.SV.W.0009.250514T2311Z-250514T2345Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
511 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...
  Northeastern Banner County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...

* Until 545 PM MDT.

* At 509 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Scottsbluff
  Airport, which is near Scottsbluff, and is nearly stationary.

  HAZARD...Golf ball sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Trained weather spotters reported golf ball sized hail 1 
           mile north of the Scottsbluff Airport.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Scottsbluff and the surrounding area is this storm and others 
  drift slowly across the county.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4164 10346 4162 10376 4199 10378 4200 10344
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 336DEG 2KT 4190 10360 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

CNJ
1 follow-up statement
648 
WWUS55 KCYS 142330
SVSCYS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
530 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEC007-157-142345-
/O.CON.KCYS.SV.W.0009.000000T0000Z-250514T2345Z/
Scotts Bluff-Banner-
530 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM MDT
FOR CENTRAL SCOTTS BLUFF AND NORTHEASTERN BANNER COUNTIES...

At 529 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Scottsbluff 
Airport, which is near Scottsbluff, and is nearly stationary.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and localized areas of up to half dollar 
         sized hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Scottsbluff and Scottsbluff Airport.

Wind gusts 50 to 55 mph were still occurring around 520 pm in and 
around Scottsbluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4164 10346 4162 10376 4199 10378 4200 10344
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 336DEG 2KT 4189 10359 

HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

CNJ

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 May 14, 3:32 PM MDT, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with the potential for severe thunderstorms in the Nebraska Panhandle.
  • Very windy conditions expected for most of southeast Wyoming and portions of western Nebraska on Thursday. Gusts over 50 mph possible.
  • Active weather pattern creates daily precipitation chances in the afternoon and evening into the beginning of next week.
Area forecast discussion, May 14, 3:32 PM MDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
332 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with the
  potential for severe thunderstorms in the Nebraska Panhandle.

- Very windy conditions expected for most of southeast Wyoming
  and portions of western Nebraska on Thursday. Gusts over 50
  mph possible.

- Active weather pattern creates daily precipitation chances in
  the afternoon and evening into the beginning of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 113 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

An upper level trough will be passing through the Intermountain
West today to give us some chances for some widespread showers
and chances for scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. HI-Res
guidance shows showers in the late morning to the early
afternoon for our mountainous regions west of I-25. Later in the
afternoon for areas east of I-25 thunderstorms look to develop
around 2pm and push eastward into the late evening. Temperatures
have cooled down compared to yesterday allowing for the lower
levels to saturate easier which any precipitation will be able
to hit the ground. However, this morning and currently satellite
shows low level clouds dissipating over the Nebraska Panhandle.
These clouds may inhibit some of the severe potential despite
SPC placing a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe
t-storms will hail and winds as the main threats. The 12z model
guidance places MUCAPE between 400 to 600 joules across the
eastern portion of the Nebraska Panhandle with a bulk shear
between 35 to 45kts of shear. This is a sufficient amount of
CAPE and shear to sustain thunderstorms and possibly produce
severe thunderstorms. The most favorable area for any severe
storms to develop is the eastern portion of the Panhandle due to
the increased moisture, temperature, and higher CAPE values
with favorable shear. If severe thunderstorms due develop then
Hail sized up to quarters and winds greater than 60 mph can be
expected underneath or near these storms. On a synoptic scale,
The surface low looks to pass through the Intermountain west as
well as jetstreak divergence aiding in the lift generation
needed to make the environment favorable for storm development.
However, some of the HI-res guidance shows a mix of cluster and
QLCS storm modes depending on which model is viewed. This
disagreement in storm modes could signal some messy development
to which the severe thunderstorms may conflict with each other
and end up hindering each storms potential and we end up with
some strong showers and small hail. Given its planting season
the latter scenario of heavy rain and small hail will be more
beneficial to the Nebraska farmers. There is also pretty good
agreement between models with timing being around 20-21z for
initiation east of I-25 and storms being finished or moved out
of the area by 23z. As this trough pushes into the
Central/Northern Plains, there is some chances for isolated to
scattered showers on Thursday. Most of the better forcing and
dynamics will be further east on the front side of this low
however some synoptic support is still there will weak
divergence aloft. So any severe potential is not expected and
the SPC day 2 outlook shows us in the general thunder category
which meets our expectations for any storms that do develop for
tomorrow.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 113 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

Friday...West northwest flow aloft develops and with 700 mb
temperatures near 5 Celsius, maximum temperatures will be in the
60s. A bit less available moisture, so areal coverage of
showers and thunderstorms will be reduced.

Saturday...The flow aloft turns west southwest, and with a
slight increase in mid level temperatures, high temperatures
will show a warming trend. Still enough low and mid level
moisture for scattered afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms.

Sunday...Southwest flow aloft develops in advance of the
approaching shortwave trough. With increasing low and mid level
moisture, and lift generated by a passing shortwave trough
aloft, scattered to numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms
will develop, focused along a low level convergence axis and
surface trough along the Wyoming-Nebraska state line.

Monday...The trough aloft moves into Wyoming. Decent low level
upslope and a moist airmass will lead to scattered to numerous
showers and thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures due to increased
cloud cover and precipitation coverage.

Tuesday...As the trough aloft moves into the Northern Plains
states, northwest flow aloft will develop over our forecast
area, helping to decrease precipitation chances. Warmer
temperatures also expected with a rise in 700 mb temperatures.

Wednesday...Similar conditions to Tuesday with brisk northwest
flow aloft. It looks breezy to windy based on low and mid level
gradients. Temperatures should be a bit warmer than Tuesday
based on 700 mb temperature trends.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 332 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

High-resolution forecast models remain on track for this
afternoon, with widespread precipitation developing in
southeastern Wyoming. This thunderstorm activity will move
eastward through the evening, bringing winds gusting into the
40 to 50 kt range in the immediate vicinity of storms. Storms
are expected to be strongest near KSNY where instability is the
most pronounced, and large hail is possible in the strongest
storm cells here. Outside of storms, winds will be breezy, with
northwesterly gusts in the 25 to 35 kt range. Expect storm
activity to linger well into the overnight over the Nebraska
panhandle, but after 15/0500z, lightning activity should
decrease markedly, with a few hours of showers afterward before
precipitation moves off to the east.

Shortly after sunrise Thursday, strong mid-atmosphere winds
will mix to the surface bringing widespread gusts in the 30 to
40 kt range. These winds continue through the daylight hours,
with brief isolated afternoon showers popping up in the
afternoon.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...MM
LONG TERM...RUBIN
AVIATION...WFO-RIW
Hazardous weather outlook, May 14, 4:31 AM MDT, 12 hours 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
431 AM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>119-151045-
Dawes County-Box Butte County-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County-
Morrill County-Kimball County-Cheyenne County-
Northern Sioux County-Southern Sioux County-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen 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-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
431 AM MDT Wed May 14 2025

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Much cooler temperatures are expected behind the cold front
today. Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage
this afternoon through this evening. Severe weather is not
expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

Very windy conditions are forecast for most of southeast
Wyoming and the higher ridges of the western Nebraska
Panhandle on Thursday. West to northwest winds between 25 to
40 mph are expected with gusts as high as 55 mph at times.
Stronger winds are possible along portions of Interstate 25
and the Interstate 80 Summit.

Slight chance of thunderstorms this weekend. Thunderstorms
will increase in coverage late in the weekend and early
next week.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 14, 3:33 PM MDT, 1 hour 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
333 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

WYZ118-119-142200-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
333 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LARAMIE COUNTY
THROUGH 400 PM MDT...

At 331 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 10 miles southeast of Cheyenne at Archer, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and one-half inch diameter
         to penny sized hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Burns around 350 PM MDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4101 10470 4101 10469 4104 10467 4105 10468
      4105 10471 4120 10467 4147 10424 4101 10406
      4100 10411 4100 10469
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 223DEG 33KT 4102 10457

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CNJ
Special weather statement, May 14, 3:59 PM MDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
359 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEZ054-WYZ119-142230-
Kimball-East Laramie County-
359 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN KIMBALL AND
SOUTHEASTERN LARAMIE COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM MDT...

At 357 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Carpenter, which is 24 miles east of Cheyenne, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and up to one-half inch diameter
         hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Pine Bluffs Municipal Airport around 410 PM MDT.
  Pine Bluffs around 415 PM MDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Brief heavy rain is also occurring with this storm resulting in
reduced visibility at times along Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and
Pine Bluffs. Also, gusty outflow wind will begin 10 minutes or more
in advance of the arrival of the rain and hail threat.

&&

LAT...LON 4106 10441 4108 10440 4109 10441 4110 10441
      4111 10440 4113 10441 4114 10440 4115 10441
      4121 10439 4129 10399 4100 10390 4100 10440
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 252DEG 30KT 4109 10433

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CNJ
Special weather statement, May 14, 4:31 PM MDT, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
431 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEZ054-WYZ119-142300-
Kimball-East Laramie County-
431 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN KIMBALL AND EAST CENTRAL
LARAMIE COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM MDT...

At 429 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Pine Bluffs, which is 19 miles west of Kimball,
moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and pea-sized to one-half inch
         diameter hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Bushnell around 435 PM MDT.
  Oliver Reservoir around 440 PM MDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Brief heavy rain is also occurring with these storms resulting in
reduced visibility at times along Interstate 80 between Pine Bluffs
and Kimball. Also, gusty outflow wind will begin 10 minutes or more
in advance of the arrival of the rain and hail threat.

&&

LAT...LON 4106 10413 4131 10415 4139 10367 4106 10367
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 250DEG 30KT 4120 10404

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CNJ
Special weather statement, May 14, 4:55 PM MDT, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
455 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEZ054-055-142345-
Kimball-Cheyenne-
455 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN CHEYENNE AND KIMBALL
COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM MDT...

At 453 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Oliver Reservoir, which is near Kimball, moving
east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and pea-sized to one-half inch
         diameter hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Kimball and Kimball Municipal Airport around 500 PM MDT.
  Dix around 510 PM MDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
the Panhandle of Nebraska.

Brief heavy rain is also occurring with these storms resulting in
reduced visibility at times along Interstate 80. Also, gusty outflow
wind will begin 10 minutes or more in advance of the arrival of the
rain and hail threat.

&&

LAT...LON 4139 10386 4139 10318 4100 10316 4100 10382
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 257DEG 35KT 4124 10374

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CNJ
Special weather statement, May 14, 5:03 PM MDT, 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
Issued by National Weather Service Riverton WY
503 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

NEZ019-020-142330-
Scotts Bluff-Banner-
503 PM MDT Wed May 14 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SCOTTS BLUFF AND
NORTHEASTERN BANNER COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM MDT...

At 501 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gering, which is near Scottsbluff. Movement has been slowly north as
this storm has been nearly stationary as it has developed.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and penny sized hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Scottsbluff, Gering, Terrytown, and Scotts Bluff National Monument
  around 505 PM MDT.

Other strong thudnerstorms have been forming in the general area.
Similar wind gusts and hail sizes can be expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4161 10351 4160 10379 4198 10385 4199 10346
TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 177DEG 5KT 4182 10365

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CNJ

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 14, 3:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSKimball31 min
May 14, 4:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSKimball29 min
May 14, 4:55 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSKimball50 min
May 14, 5:03 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSScotts Bluff27 min
May 14, 5:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSBanner35 min
May 14, 5:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSCheyenne45 min
May 14, 5:47 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCYSCheyenne28 min
May 14, 5:54 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCYSCheyenne36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

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.