Alert archive / Nebraska / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 22, NWS Cheyenne, WY

August 15, 2026Kimball County, Nebraska

NWS Cheyenne, WY issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2026, 4:05 PM MDT for Kimball County, Nebraska. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 15, 2026, 4:05 PM MDT (22:05 UTC)
Expired
Aug 15, 2026, 7:00 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Cheyenne, WY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Kimball County, NE

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 107 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:08 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 text

As transmitted.

887 
WGUS55 KCYS 152205
FFWCYS
NEC105-160100-
/O.NEW.KCYS.FF.W.0022.260815T2205Z-260816T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
405 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Kimball County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

* Until 700 PM MDT.

* At 405 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.75 and 1.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  mainly rural areas of Southeastern Kimball County

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 4114 10343 4107 10344 4100 10348 4100 10371
      4107 10367 4113 10357

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Trudel
1 follow-up statement
385 
WGUS75 KCYS 160053
FFSCYS

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
653 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

NEC105-160103-
/O.EXP.KCYS.FF.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260816T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kimball NE-
653 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR 
SOUTHEASTERN KIMBALL COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for portions of 
panhandle Nebraska and Wyoming.

&&

LAT...LON 4114 10343 4107 10344 4100 10348 4100 10371
      4107 10367 4113 10357

$$

Trudel

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Aug 15, 2:19 PM MDT, 1 hour 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Another round of thunderstorms will bring the potential for localized flash flooding and isolated strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
  • A Flood Watch & Severe Thunderstorm Watch are in effect through this evening for much of the High Plains.
  • Isolated strong to severe storms and localized flash flooding will remain possible Sunday, though overall storm coverage will be lower.
  • Drier weather and temperatures close to seasonal averages will return early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 2:19 PM MDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
219 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another round of thunderstorms will bring the potential for
  localized flash flooding and isolated strong to severe
  thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

- A Flood Watch & Severe Thunderstorm Watch are in effect
  through this evening for much of the High Plains.

- Isolated strong to severe storms and localized flash flooding
  will remain possible Sunday, though overall storm coverage
  will be lower.

- Drier weather and temperatures close to seasonal averages will
  return early next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 216 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Another round of slow moving thunderstorms is in store for this
afternoon and evening. Looking at Water Vapor, the mid and lower
levels show plumes of moisture advecting through Colorado and
Arizona and into our region. This will drive our PWAT values into
the 1.0-1.25 inch range during the weekend as we are in Southwest
flow. 700mb flow will remain rather slow today, with generally
westerly to southwesterly flow expected. A messy, surface high
pressure system will attempt to develop west of the Rocky Mountains
over western Colorado before strengthening into the afternoon hours.
With ample moisture available due to continued monsoonal moisture
advection, the easterly flow will lead to very moist, upslope flow
along and east of the Laramie Range. 700mb and 500mb vorticity
maxima will be the major players in the synoptic forcing which is
expected to increase into the later afternoon hours. Heavy rainfall
is anticipated once again today, with the Weather Prediction Center
placing portions of the region in a Slight Risk of excessive
rainfall and a larger portion in a Marginal Risk of excessive
rainfall. With the sustained rainfall across the lower elevations
yesterday, the soils should be moderately saturated to aid in
localized areal and urban flooding. A Flood Watch was issued on the
overnight shift that is valid from 2PM through 10PM for nearly all
locations along and east of the Laramie Range, where Precipitable
Water values remain at and above the 90th percentile and moist,
upslope flow persists. In addition to the flooding risk today, the
Storm Prediction Center has placed far southeast Wyoming and western
Nebraska in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) of severe weather this
afternoon. Primary hazards look to be isolated, large hail and
damaging wind gusts. Isolated pockets of MLCAPE and SBCAPE around
1000 J/kg will provide enough instability for stronger updrafts to
develop this afternoon, especially across western Nebraska. The
biggest question will be whether or not the early morning cloud
cover anticipated across the region puts a damper on the severe
potential this afternoon. Pockets of clearing skies occurred across
the forecast area to aide in some diurnal heating this morning and
strengthening the instability for the showers/thunderstorms later.
Forecasting the daily high temperatures and trying to get the hourly
trend will be rather difficult as these clouds push into the region
potentially cooling areas faster than the models could predict as
well.

For Sunday, slightly drier condition as the upper-level flow turns a
little more westerly, cutting off some of the monsoonal moisture
advection into the area. However, with the ample moisture present
over the past several days, plenty of residual moisture will be
present to get another round of showers and storms Sunday afternoon
into the evening hours. A few lobes of 500mb vorticity will advect
across the region Sunday afternoon, providing some forcing for
ascent. Slightly stronger 700mb warm air advection briefly develops
Sunday afternoon, adding an additional forcing for ascent for
showers and storms. Surface flow turns southerly Sunday afternoon
through much of the overnight hours, leading to weak ascent across
the Cheyenne Ridge, likely resulting in showers and storms
developing in this area once again. Precipitable water values look
to return towards more climatologically average values Sunday,
decreasing the threat for isolated flooding across the region.
However, with monsoonal moisture still in play, flooding potential
continues for Sunday with a Marginal Risk of Excessive Rainfall from
the Weather Prediction Center. Another round of strong to severe
storms will be possible Sunday, with a Slight Risk of severe weather
for much of the area and a small portion of the region under a
Slight Risk of severe weather once again.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 216 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Drier air will work into the area on Monday, bringing us a break in
the stormy monsoon weather pattern. Expect mostly sunny skies to
return to the area with temperatures generally near seasonal
averages, in the lower 80s around Laramie and Rawlins, and mid to
upper 80s along and east of I-25. While isolated showers and/or
thunderstorms will still be possible, coverage will be significantly
lower than the preceding days. The boundary layer will be much
drier on the Wyoming side, which may lead to a dry microburst,
threat, while a few actual rain producing thunderstorms will be
possible mainly on the Nebraska side.

The monsoon tap recovers somewhat on Tuesday into Wednesday, though
the flow will remain largely westerly aloft. Still, some low to mid
level southerly flow over the Great Basin will help inject higher PW
into our area, pushing values back to around 0.75 and 1.2 inches or
so across the area. This will of course be not quite as high as the
current monsoon surge, but should be sufficient to kick up coverage
of showers and thunderstorms for Tuesday and Wednesday, especially
with some help from an upper level shortwave trough riding over the
top of the ridge Wednesday. While the boundary layer will still b on
the dry side during this period, there looks to be plenty of
moisture aloft so rain should still reach the ground even in the
drier areas. Tuesday should see temperatures climb just a smidge
above seasonal averages, while these values will fall by a few
degrees Wednesday with the aforementioned shortwave.

The upper level ridge will amplify to our west on Thursday, and
Friday, turning the flow aloft to a more dry, northwesterly flow.
Expect storm chances to become much more isolated once again as
temperatures climb back above seasonal averages. An early look at
700-mb temperatures appears fairly marginal for record highs
with this round with NAEFS means hovering around +15 to +18C, or
near the climatological 90th percentile.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1142 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall will be the main aviation
concern once again today. Storms will kick up in the next 1-2
hours in southeast Wyoming, impacting KLAR and KCYS in the
afternoon, then progressing eastward into the Nebraska panhandle
in the late afternoon and evening hours. Strong, gusty outflow
winds and IFR conditions due to moderate to heavy rainfall will
be the primary concerns. TEMPO groups were introduced where
confidence in impacts is highest, while other terminals remain
at PROB30 groups. Timing is still a little uncertain, so be
alert for possible AMDs this afternoon and evening as confidence
increases.

Look for largely variable winds overnight behind today's
thunderstorm activity. Another round of low clouds and/or fog is
possible over the High Plains, but confidence is fairly low.
Model probabilities are around 20 to 30% for MVFR to IFR, but
models have been underestimating the fog and low CIGs the last
several mornings.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for WYZ102-107-108-
     117>119.
NE...Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for NEZ002-003-
     019>021-054-055-095-096.

&&

SHORT TERM...MM
LONG TERM...MN
AVIATION...MN

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:16 PM MDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
316 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

NEZ002-152145-
Dawes NE-
316 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN DAWES COUNTY
THROUGH 345 PM MDT...

At 316 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Crawford, or 21 miles southwest of Chadron, moving
east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Roberts Trailhead Campground.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
the Panhandle of Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4258 10339 4265 10339 4269 10313 4248 10320
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 267DEG 14KT 4261 10331

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

Brauer
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:23 PM MDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
323 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

WYZ115-116-152200-
South Laramie Range WY-Laramie Valley WY-
323 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ALBANY COUNTY
THROUGH 400 PM MDT...

At 323 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Laramie Regional Airport, or near Laramie, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Laramie, West Laramie, Antelope Buttes, Rogers Canyon, University Of
Wyoming War Memorial Stadium, Laramie Regional Airport, Paddocks,
Pope Springs, and Albany County Fairgrounds.

This includes Interstate 80 in Wyoming between mile markers 305 and
320.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4128 10570 4138 10571 4146 10541 4121 10549
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 267DEG 20KT 4133 10567

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Brauer
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:28 PM MDT, 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
328 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

WYZ101-152200-
Converse County Lower Elevations WY-
328 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CONVERSE COUNTY THROUGH
400 PM MDT...

At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northwest of Fort Fetterman Historic Site, or 18 miles
northwest of Douglas, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Douglas, Converse County Airport, and Fort Fetterman Historic Site.

This includes Interstate 25 in Wyoming between mile markers 137 and
143.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4296 10570 4305 10567 4313 10520 4271 10538
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 279DEG 26KT 4299 10559

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Brauer
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:29 PM MDT, 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
329 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

WYZ103-106-152200-
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County WY-
North Laramie Range WY-
329 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL ALBANY AND WEST
CENTRAL PLATTE COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM MDT...

At 329 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northwest of Flying X Ranch, or 24 miles west of Wheatland,
moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central Albany
and west central Platte Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
southeastern Wyoming.

&&

LAT...LON 4192 10546 4202 10555 4222 10529 4191 10506
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 236DEG 23KT 4199 10544

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

Brauer
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:37 PM MDT, 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
337 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

NEZ002-003-152215-
Box Butte NE-Dawes NE-
337 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BOX BUTTE AND
SOUTHEASTERN DAWES COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM MDT...

At 337 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Roberts Trailhead Campground, or 19 miles southwest of
Chadron, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Box Butte Reservoir, Box Butte Campground, and Box Butte Dam.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
the Panhandle of Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4254 10324 4264 10320 4265 10279 4238 10298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 284DEG 22KT 4257 10315

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

Brauer
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:58 PM MDT, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
358 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

WYZ101-103-152230-
Converse County Lower Elevations WY-North Laramie Range WY-
358 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CONVERSE COUNTY
THROUGH 430 PM MDT...

At 358 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Deer Creek, or 23 miles west of Douglas, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Glenrock, Deer Creek, and Laprele Reservoir.

This includes Interstate 25 in Wyoming between mile markers 153 and
165.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4273 10590 4281 10594 4294 10571 4265 10555
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 257DEG 13KT 4277 10585

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

Brauer

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 14, 6:27 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCYSCheyenne, Morrill2 hr
Aug 14, 7:47 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCYSBanner, Kimball101 min
Aug 15, 1:12 AM MDTFlood WatchCYSBanner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Kimball, Morrill and 2 more21 hr
Aug 15, 2:22 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCYSSioux113 min
Aug 15, 2:42 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSDawes33 min
Aug 15, 2:47 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningCYSDawes, Sioux58 min
Aug 15, 3:16 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSDawes29 min
Aug 15, 3:37 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSDawes38 min
Aug 15, 3:55 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCYSCheyenne, Kimball50 min
Aug 15, 4:07 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSBox Butte23 min
Aug 15, 4:18 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCYSBox Butte42 min
Aug 15, 4:55 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementCYSBox Butte35 min
Aug 15, 5:08 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCYSBox Butte36 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Nebraska, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

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