Severe Thunderstorm Warning 342, NWS North Platte, NE

333 
WWUS53 KLBF 180118
SVSLBF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
718 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEC069-075-180128-
/O.CAN.KLBF.SV.W.0342.000000T0000Z-260818T0130Z/
Grant NE-Garden NE-
718 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN GRANT AND
NORTHEASTERN GARDEN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for
the Panhandle of and west central Nebraska.

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

LAT...LON 4187 10239 4200 10233 4200 10183 4165 10205
TIME...MOT...LOC 0117Z 296DEG 26KT 4180 10195 

$$

NWS LBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
637 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to widely scattered severe thunderstorms will be
  possible tonight.

- A cold front will tend to focus the severe potential more
  across Kansas Tuesday

- Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible again Wednesday.
  Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible given the moist
  environment.

- Warmer and drier conditions return Friday into the weekend as
  an upper-level ridge strengthens across the region.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 339 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Appears to be a residual outflow boundary from earlier convection
that has settled across the southern Sandhills this afternoon. This
will be one area to watch for possible convective initiation late
this afternoon. The other area to watch will be development across
southwest into south central South Dakota. CAMs have been more
aggressive with this activity, and move it into northern Nebraska
this evening (mainly east of Highway 183). This would be round one,
with another potential late night round tracking virtually across
the same area of north central Nebraska. If two rounds do indeed
occur across the same area will have to monitor for some locally
heavy rain potential. As far as severe, deep layer shear is more
than adequate for storm organization. A couple of initial supercells
could emerge out of a deepening CU field late this afternoon into
this evening near the aforementioned outflow boundary. CAMs have
struggled with the evolution of this scenario. The storm
organization across southern South Dakota is more certain, with
multiple runs of the HRRR showing at least a couple of rounds of
potential intense convection. The main risks would be from damaging
winds and large hail. The overall tornado risk is low.

A cold front will sag southward into Kansas Tuesday. Although some
isolated shower and thunderstorm activity will be possible during
the day, the better focus for afternoon development would be south
of the area nearer the cold front across Kansas. Other storms may
move off the higher terrain into northwest Nebraska during the
evening...and these could continue eastward overnight. At this time,
this activity doesn't look like it will be overly strong, with the
better focus remaining to the south overnight.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 339 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Wednesday, an upper-level longwave trough will become established
across the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay region, resulting in northwest
flow aloft across the area. Along the southwestern periphery of this
trough, a weak disturbance will move through the region. Surface dew
points in the mid to upper 60s, combined with sufficient mid and
upper-level forcing, will support shower and thunderstorm
development across portions of the area. In terms of severe weather,
MUCAPE values of 2000 to 3000 J/kg combined with 40 to 45 knots of
deep-layer shear should support organized convection, with large
hail and damaging winds the primary threats. The SPC currently has
much of the forecast area in a Marginal Risk for severe weather
Wednesday, and this period will continue to be monitored closely
over the next several forecast cycles. Moisture profiles will also
remain quite impressive, supporting efficient rainfall processes and
the potential for locally heavy rainfall with stronger
thunderstorms. Temperatures Wednesday will remain on the cooler
side, with highs generally in the mid to upper 70s across much of
the area.

Thursday, the longwave trough across the Hudson Bay region will
continue to shift east as an upper-level ridge builds across the
western United States, maintaining northwest flow aloft across the
region. Warm air advection will begin to increase as the western
ridge amplifies, with 850-mb temperatures returning to the 20 to 25C
range. This will support warmer surface temperatures, with highs
returning to the mid 80s across much of the area. Another weak
disturbance is forecast to move southeast through the northwest flow
on the backside of the departing longwave trough, potentially
providing sufficient lift for scattered showers and thunderstorms
Thursday afternoon and evening. Severe weather may again be possible
given sufficient instability and deep-layer shear. However,
strengthening 850-mb warm air advection may result in a stronger
cap, potentially limiting convective initiation. This period will
continue to be monitored over the next several forecast cycles.

Friday into the weekend, the upper-level ridge across the western
United States will amplify and gradually shift east toward the
region. Increasing subsidence associated with the amplifying ridge
should favor drier conditions, while the stronger upper-level flow
and better forcing remain north and east of the area. Temperatures
will also trend warmer, with highs returning to the lower to middle
90s across western portions of the forecast area through Monday,
while north-central Nebraska remains somewhat cooler with highs
generally in the lower to middle 80s. By early next week, the upper-
level ridge is forecast to begin flattening, resulting in a
transition toward more zonal flow and potentially allowing stronger
upper-level flow to return to the region.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 636 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

VFR conditions are expected across much of the area through the
next 24 hours. Scattered thunderstorms have developed across
portions of western Nebraska and will move eastward across the
region this evening into the overnight hours. Some storms may be
strong to severe, with large to very large hail, damaging winds,
and heavy rainfall resulting in locally reduced visibility. A
TEMPO group has been added for KVTN between 01Z and 05Z as
thunderstorms are expected to approach the terminal over the
next few hours. A signal also remains for MVFR ceilings to
develop behind the departing convection across portions of
central and north-central Nebraska early Tuesday morning.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Taylor
LONG TERM...Labenz
AVIATION...Labenz

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
406 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-182115-
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-
406 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026 /306 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are possible across the area this evening
and tonight. A few storms could be strong to severe, especially east
of Highway 61. Damaging winds, large to very large hail, and locally
heavy rainfall look to be the primary threats. An isolated tornado
cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Thunderstorms chances continue into midweek across western and north
central Nebraska. Locally heavy rainfall will remain a possibility
each day. Storms could also be strong to severe through Wednesday as
well, with large hail and damaging winds as the primary threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
655 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEZ010-180045-
Holt NE-
655 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HOLT COUNTY THROUGH
745 PM CDT...

At 655 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Chambers, or 12 miles southwest of O'Neill, moving
east at 20 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...
O'Neill and Inman.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 309 and 322.
 Highway 281 between mile markers 167 and 182.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4223 9885 4238 9890 4250 9848 4221 9839
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 256DEG 17KT 4232 9878

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

NWS LBF

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
555 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEZ058-180030-
Perkins NE-
555 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN PERKINS COUNTY
THROUGH 630 PM MDT...

At 555 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Big Springs, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Grant and Wild Horse Spring.

This includes Highway 61 between mile markers 68 and 78.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4086 10206 4094 10206 4100 10205 4100 10169
      4077 10174
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 283DEG 30KT 4093 10200

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

NWS LBF

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
709 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0707 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 SE Rushville          42.70N 102.44W
08/17/2026  M72 MPH          Sheridan           NE   Mesonet

&&

MRS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
619 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEZ057-180100-
Keith NE-
619 PM MDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN KEITH COUNTY
THROUGH 700 PM MDT...

At 619 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ogallala, moving east at 35 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...
Ogallala, Paxton, Keystone, Sarben, Roscoe, Kingsley Dam, Nevens,
Broganville, and Lake View Campground.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 80 and 98.
 Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 121 and 149.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on or near Lake McCounaughy, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for
southwestern Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4101 10180 4125 10187 4124 10128 4101 10128
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 278DEG 31KT 4119 10177

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

NWS LBF

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
721 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0706 PM     Hail             16 SW Amelia            42.10N 99.21W
08/17/2026  E1.00 Inch       Holt               NE   Public

            Time estimated from radar.

&&

MRS

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
726 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0715 PM     Hail             12 WSW Amelia           42.15N 99.16W
08/17/2026  M1.25 Inch       Holt               NE   Trained Spotter

            Time estimated from radar.

&&

MRS