Tornado Warning 3, NWS Hastings, NE

989 
WWUS53 KGID 170236
SVSGID

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
936 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

KSC147-NEC061-083-170300-
/O.CON.KGID.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260517T0300Z/
Phillips KS-Franklin NE-Harlan NE-
936 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL PHILLIPS...SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN HARLAN
COUNTIES...

At 935 PM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Harlan County Dam, or 18 miles north of Phillipsburg, moving east at
45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Republican City and Harlan County Dam around 940 PM CDT.
  Naponee around 945 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4003 9907 3996 9936 3996 9937 4008 9945
      4024 9916 4014 9911
TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 251DEG 39KT 4002 9930 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Thies

235 
WWUS53 KGID 170248
SVSGID

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
948 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

KSC147-170258-
/O.CAN.KGID.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260517T0300Z/
Phillips KS-
948 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL PHILLIPS COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
north central Kansas...and south central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4020 9914 4014 9911 4003 9907 4000 9919
      4000 9925 4011 9932
TIME...MOT...LOC 0248Z 247DEG 48KT 4010 9913 

$$

NEC061-083-170300-
/O.CON.KGID.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260517T0300Z/
Franklin NE-Harlan NE-
948 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN HARLAN COUNTIES...

At 948 PM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Naponee, or 26 miles northeast of Phillipsburg, moving northeast at
55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southwestern Franklin and southeastern Harlan Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4020 9914 4014 9911 4003 9907 4000 9919
      4000 9925 4011 9932
TIME...MOT...LOC 0248Z 247DEG 48KT 4010 9913 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Thies

353 
WWUS53 KGID 170255
SVSGID

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
955 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

NEC061-083-170304-
/O.EXP.KGID.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260517T0300Z/
Franklin NE-Harlan NE-
955 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN
HARLAN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1000 PM CDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been 
cancelled. However, damaging winds remain likely and a Severe 
Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
north central Kansas...and south central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4020 9914 4014 9911 4003 9907 4000 9919
      4000 9925 4011 9932
TIME...MOT...LOC 0254Z 245DEG 38KT 4012 9907 

$$

Thies

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
643 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Enhanced risk of severe weather (level 3 of 5) during the
  evening and overnight hours today and again Sunday. Organized
  damaging wind, very large hail, and tornadoes are possible.

- Dangerous fire weather conditions are becoming an increasing
  concern for Sunday afternoon along and behind a surging dry
  line. Areas along and south of the state line have been placed
  under a Fire Weather Watch.

- Monday's severe weather potential is highly uncertain for our
  local area, as latest trends are shifting the main threat
  corridor along and ahead of a front a bit further E.

- Relatively quiet remainder of the forecast.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 643 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 1 AM. Several
supercells have developed along the warm front along and north
of I-80. Other than the increased coverage of supercells early
this evening, the convective forecast is unfolding as expected.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 327 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

Short discussion here as we transition to severe weather ops.

Two main convective regimes for the short term:
1) isolated supercells along a retreating warm front over mainly
south central Nebraska late this afternoon and evening. All
modes of severe will be possible given potent combination of
instability and shear. Already seeing signs of this along I-80
corridor.

2) larger complex of storms is forecast to move in from the W
later this evening. This activity would have an organized with
threat with it, as well as potential for QLCS tornadoes. This is
concerning considering the late time of day and difficult to
spot them. Could also see some large hail, but would be a
secondary threat. Can't rule out a few swaths of wind driven
hail. Isolated gusts up to 80 MPH will be possible in the
strongest cores. This batch favors south central Nebraska more
than Kansas, but KS zones by no means in the clear.

Severe threat should end by around 09Z.

Focus then turns to Sunday's severe weather and fire weather
potential. Will all depend on where the dry line sets up, but
trends have been to shift this further E and bring more of the
dry surge and fire weather into play. Will need to seem how
things settle from today...but anywhere along and ahead of the
dry line could see significant severe weather, including intense
supercells with very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and
tornadoes. The greatest tornado threat looks to be along and
E/NE of the Hwy 81 corridor. Late afternoon and early evening is
the main time frame of concern for dry line storms. Another
batch of severe storms with mainly a large hail and wind threat
could move in from the NW along the primary cold front late
Sunday evening and into the overnight.

Fire weather discussion will be included below shortly.

Exactly how things unfold Sunday will determine frontal location
for Monday. As mentioned above, this is trending further E/SE
such that most of out area could be on the cool side of the
front by midday. In fact, far N/NW zones could struggle to get
out of the 50s while far S/SE zones push 90F. A strong spring
front, indeed, that is bound to spark off widespread severe
weather...just a question of if it's here or just E/SE.

Not much time spent in the extended periods as it appears fairly
quiet.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 643 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Severe thunderstorms are near both terminals to start the 00Z
forecast period. Storm motion has been near-stationary, so will
continue with PROB30 mentions for now. Eventually storms will
move over each terminal by the end of the evening, but there is
increasing uncertainty in their severity beyond 02-03Z. Large
hail and damaging winds are possible with any storm. Heavy rain
from storms will also reduce visibility to at least IFR levels
at times. Chances for thunderstorms diminish overnight. MVFR
ceilings could develop late tonight into Sunday morning. Outside
of thunderstorms, winds will remain breezy through the forecast
period with easterly direction through tonight turning to
southerly by Sunday afternoon. There are low chances for
thunderstorms developing mid to late Sunday afternoon.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 643 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

Dangerous fire weather conditions are possible along and south of
the Nebraska-Kansas state line Sunday afternoon and evening. This
roughly includes areas along and between Highways 183 and 281, and
along and south of Highway 136. Winds will turn from southeast to
south Sunday morning and increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to
40 mph in the afternoon. Relative humidity is forecast to fall as
low as 10 to 15 percent. Near critical fire weather conditions
could extend north along and to the east of the Highway 281
corridor, where winds will be similar but humidity slightly
higher.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday
     evening for NEZ083>085.
KS...Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday
     evening for KSZ005>007-017>019.

&&

UPDATE...NWS Bismarck
DISCUSSION...Thies
AVIATION...NWS Bismarck
FIRE WEATHER...NWS Bismarck

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
325 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
171200-
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-
325 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Isolated supercell thunderstorms may develop anytime after 5PM
this evening along a retreating warm front draped across south
central Nebraska. This potential is highly conditional, but should
activity develop, very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a
tornado or two would all be possible.

More widespread thunderstorms are forecast to move in from the
west late this evening, generally after 8-9PM, and continue into
the overnight. This activity is expected to be severe, with
damaging wind gusts around 70 mph the primary threat. However,
large hail and tornadoes will also be possible. Isolated rainfall
amounts up to 2 inches may lead to brief ponding issues in known
trouble spots. The severe threat is forecast to end by around 3AM
tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

On Sunday, the severe weather risk appears more isolated as
hot, dry air surges north into south central Nebraska. After
3 PM, isolated supercells are possible, mainly over portions of
south central Nebraska east of Highway 281. Should these storms
develop, they will move north northeast, and could produce up to
baseball size hail and tornadoes. Again, coverage appears limited
but the intensity of storms later Sunday could be very strong for
a time. During the later evening hours, additional severe storms
may move into the areas from the west, and favors south central
Nebraska for the most coverage of storms. Large hail and damaging
winds are the primary risks late Sunday evening and overnight.

On Monday, there is a lingering severe weather risk as a cold
front moves across the area. There remains uncertainty in timing
and location of the front, so stay tuned for more forecast
updates throughout the weekend. At this time, the greatest risk
looks to remain along, and especially east, of Highway 81.

In addition to the severe weather potential Sunday, dangerous fire
weather conditions are becoming increasingly likely for areas
along and south of the Nebraska, Kansas state line, within a zone
of surging hot, dry, and windy air from the southwest. A Fire
Weather Watch has been issued for these locations for Sunday
afternoon into early evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to
report any low level rotation, hail, or wind gusts over 50 mph to
the National Weather Service.

&&

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

Thies

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
852 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0851 PM     Hail             3 SSE Grand Island      40.89N 98.34W
05/16/2026  M1.50 Inch       Hall               NE   Public

            NWS Employee.

&&

KS

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
854 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0850 PM     Hail             Grand Island            40.92N 98.37W
05/16/2026  M1.50 Inch       Hall               NE   NWS Employee

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
903 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0835 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ENE Holdrege          40.45N 99.34W
05/16/2026  E61 MPH          Phelps             NE   Public

            Gust occurred at the Holdrege airport.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
905 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0526 PM     Hail             6 W Osceola             41.19N 97.66W
05/16/2026  M2.00 Inch       Polk               NE   Public

&&

NOAA/NWS/Moritz

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
916 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0907 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SSE Central City      41.10N 98.00W
05/16/2026  M66 MPH          Merrick            NE   Public

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
925 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

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

0921 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 N Aurora              40.89N 98.00W
05/16/2026  M64 MPH          Hamilton           NE   Public

            Gust occurred at the Aurora AWOS.

&&