Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 29, NWS North Platte, NE

May 30, 2026Hayes County, Nebraska

NWS North Platte, NE issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 30, 2026, 5:37 PM CDT for Hayes County, Nebraska. It was in force for 38 min. 2 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 30, 2026, 5:37 PM CDT (22:37 UTC)
Expired
May 30, 2026, 6:15 PM CDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS North Platte, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Hayes County, NE

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 137 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:37 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 30, 6:04 PM CDTHAIL 14 N Hayes Center, NE
May 30, 6:21 PM CDTHAIL 210 S Wallace, NE

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 27 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 30, 4:59 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The text

As transmitted.

128 
WUUS53 KLBF 302237
SVRLBF
NEC085-302315-
/O.NEW.KLBF.SV.W.0029.260530T2237Z-260530T2315Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service North Platte NE
537 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Hayes County in southwestern Nebraska...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 537 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hayes Center,
  moving north at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Hayes Center, Marengo, and Hayes Center State Wildlife Management
  Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southwestern
Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4038 10120 4070 10122 4070 10078 4036 10096
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 186DEG 20KT 4047 10109 

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

$$

NMJ
1 follow-up statement
673 
WWUS53 KLBF 302252
SVSLBF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
552 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

NEC085-302315-
/O.CON.KLBF.SV.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260530T2315Z/
Hayes NE-
552 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN HAYES COUNTY...

At 552 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hayes Center,
moving north at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Hayes Center, Marengo, and Hayes Center State Wildlife Management
Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southwestern
Nebraska.

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

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
North Platte.

&&

LAT...LON 4047 10121 4070 10122 4070 10078 4047 10090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 185DEG 28KT 4058 10108 

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

$$

NMJ

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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 30, 3:08 PM CDT, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Moderate to high confidence in severe thunderstorms late this afternoon through the evening with large hail and damaging winds being the main threats, and tornadoes being a secondary threat.
  • Low confidence in continued near-daily afternoon/evening thunderstorms through mid-week.
  • High confidence in mild temperatures through the end of next week.
Area forecast discussion, May 30, 3:08 PM CDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
308 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Moderate to high confidence in severe thunderstorms late this
afternoon through the evening with large hail and damaging winds
being the main threats, and tornadoes being a secondary threat.

- Low confidence in continued near-daily afternoon/evening
thunderstorms through mid-week.

- High confidence in mild temperatures through the end of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 256 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

The greatest potential for severe storms in the next week will occur
late this afternoon and evening as a mid level trough pushes across
Nebraska. In addition to this, current observations show a
developing surface low across the Colorado/Kansas border with a well
defined dry line line draped to the south. As this low pushes
northeastward, the dry line will also move into southwest and
southern Nebraska bringing with it a steep gradient of dewpoints and
moisture across the front. With increased moisture across portions
of our forecast area combined with ample instability (CAPE values
potentially above 3000 J/kg, lapse rates near 7 to 9 C/km, and 0-6
km shear up to 50 knots), a favorable environment will exist for
severe thunderstorm development by late this afternoon and into the
evening. Storms will develop into supercells initially before
becoming more linear in nature as they progress northeastward into
central Nebraska. The main threats remain relatively unchanged from
previous forecasts with large hail (at least 2 inches in diameter)
and strong winds (at least 65 mph) being the primary threats along
with the potential for a few tornadoes. Storms are expected to
remain severe throughout much of the evening, gradually weakening
after Midnight CT when instability begins to wane. Despite the
severe potential lessening after Midnight, some lingering
thunderstorms, some on the stronger side even, will be possible
across north central Nebraska through sunrise Sunday morning when
storms completely move off to the east and slowly dissipate.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 256 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

Another round of convection is possible on Sunday as the severe
threat shifts slightly to the east. A shortwave will push
through northern and eastern Nebraska on Sunday afternoon
combining with a dryline across central Nebraska providing a
favorable environment for convective initiation. Development
will be primarily focused along and to the east of this dryline
(mainly east of US-183) where the best moisture will be present.
Even then, the latest model soundings suggest a lot of mid-
level dry air around through the afternoon and early evening.
This may inhibit any thunderstorm development in our area with
the main action focused more across northeast Nebraska.
Regardless, not expecting widespread severe, but a small window
of some isolated strong to briefly severe storms could be
possible before pushing to the east out of our area.

Beyond Sunday, the active weather pattern will continue as a series
of shortwaves continue to track through Nebraska creating near-daily
rain and thunderstorm chances through mid-week. At this time the
severe risk remains uncertain, but with mild temperatures in the 80s
though much of the week and some modest instability across the
region, confidence in a stronger or briefly severe storm is high
especially in the afternoon and evening. Stay tuned as we will
continue to monitor the environment headed into next week for the
severe potential.

Temperatures through the extended period remain warm and mild as
continued WAA pushes into the central Plains. Highs will remain in
the 80s with lows in the low to mid 50s through next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1247 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

Showers and thunderstorms will develop and move into the region late
this afternoon and into the evening. These storms will have the
capability of producing large hail and damaging, erratic winds as
well as frequent lightning. Storms will slowly weaken as they move
east/northeast throughout the evening, but some stronger storms may
still impact northern and north central Nebraska. Showers come to an
end Sunday morning. While skies may remain overcast, ceilings will
rise back into VFR by late morning.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SHORT TERM...Kulik
LONG TERM...Kulik
AVIATION...Kulik
Hazardous weather outlook, May 30, 2:56 PM CDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
256 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-312000-
Sheridan-Eastern Cherry-Keya Paha-Boyd-Brown-Rock-Holt-Garden-Grant-
Hooker-Thomas-Blaine-Loup-Garfield-Wheeler-Arthur-McPherson-Logan-
Custer-Deuel-Keith-Perkins-Lincoln-Chase-Hayes-Frontier-
Western Cherry-
256 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026 /156 PM MDT Sat May 30 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Severe thunderstorms are possible through this evening across
western and north central Nebraska. Large to very large hail and
damaging winds are the main threats, however, a tornado or two is
also possible.

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

Near critical fire weather conditions are possible Sunday afternoon
across the western Sandhills and southwest Nebraska, where low
humidity and gusty west winds exist.

Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms are possible Monday
through Thursday night. However, the severe risk remains uncertain
at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 30, 5:21 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
521 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

NEZ059-070-071-302300-
Frontier NE-Hayes NE-Lincoln NE-
521 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN FRONTIER...
SOUTHWESTERN LINCOLN AND HAYES COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 521 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Palisade, or 10 miles south of Hayes Center, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Hayes Center, Wellfleet, Dickens, Marengo, and Hayes Center State
Wildlife Management Area.

This includes Highway 83 between mile markers 49 and 58.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southwestern
Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4085 10112 4076 10059 4035 10082 4035 10114
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 192DEG 22KT 4036 10098

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

NMJ
Special weather statement, May 30, 5:35 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
435 PM MDT Sat May 30 2026

NEZ035-057-302315-
Arthur NE-Keith NE-
435 PM MDT Sat May 30 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN ARTHUR AND NORTH
CENTRAL KEITH COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM MDT...

At 435 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Arthur, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Arthur, Velma, Haythorn Lake, and McKeag.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 109 and 128.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 165 and 166.

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.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for southwestern
and west central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4137 10171 4138 10195 4164 10197 4163 10164
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 183DEG 15KT 4146 10183

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NMJ

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 29, 7:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFChase45 min
May 29, 8:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHayes39 min
May 29, 8:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHayes49 min
May 29, 9:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFFrontier42 min
May 29, 10:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFFrontier43 min
May 30, 5:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFChase56 min
May 30, 5:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHayes39 min
May 30, 5:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFArthur40 min
May 30, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFArthur, Garden, Keith52 min
May 30, 6:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFHayes, Lincoln, Perkins50 min
May 30, 6:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFDeuel, Garden, Keith, Perkins41 min
May 30, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatLBFHayes, Lincoln, Perkins50 min
May 30, 6:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFKeith, Perkins39 min
May 30, 6:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFArthur, Garden, Grant51 min
May 30, 6:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFLincoln46 min
May 30, 6:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFFrontier46 min
May 30, 6:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFArthur, Keith, McPherson39 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.