Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 45, NWS North Platte, NE

May 30, 20264 counties in Nebraska

NWS North Platte, NE issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 30, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT for 4 counties in Nebraska. It was in force for 46 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 30, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT (00:59 UTC)
Expired
May 30, 2026, 8:45 PM CDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS North Platte, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Custer County, NE, Lincoln County, NE, Logan County, NE, McPherson County, NE

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:58 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 severe thunderstorm 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 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 nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 7 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, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-05-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2499 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-05-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 32 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
2499 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-10 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1248 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
32 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
130 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
4.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

369 
WUUS53 KLBF 310059
SVRLBF
NEC041-111-113-117-310145-
/O.NEW.KLBF.SV.W.0045.260531T0059Z-260531T0145Z/

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

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northern Lincoln County in southwestern Nebraska...
  Logan County in west central Nebraska...
  Eastern McPherson County in west central Nebraska...
  Western Custer County in central Nebraska...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 759 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Hershey to 7 miles northeast of Brady, moving
  north at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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.

* Locations impacted include...
  North Platte, Stapleton, Tryon, Sutherland, Hershey, Arnold, Brady,
  Maxwell, Gandy, Lake Maloney State Recreation Area, Ringgold,
  Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area, North Platte Airport,
  Keith, Logan.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 193 and 262.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 1 and 40.
 Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 158 and 207.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 70 and 126.

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 central,
southwestern and west central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4094 10113 4170 10117 4167 9994 4104 10008
      4104 10023 4093 10023
TIME...MOT...LOC 0059Z 182DEG 36KT 4112 10101 4110 10028 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

NMJ
2 follow-up statements
212 
WWUS53 KLBF 310130
SVSLBF

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

NEC041-111-113-117-310145-
/O.CON.KLBF.SV.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260531T0145Z/
Lincoln NE-Logan NE-McPherson NE-Custer NE-
830 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT
FOR NORTHERN LINCOLN...LOGAN...EASTERN MCPHERSON AND WESTERN CUSTER
COUNTIES...

At 830 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 14 miles southwest of Tryon to near Ringgold to 6
miles southeast of Arnold, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Stapleton, Tryon, Arnold, Gandy, Ringgold, Logan, Milldale, Tarboz
Lake, Shanklin Bluff, Pleasant Hill, Hoagland, Brown Lake, and
Finchville.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 193 and 262.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 1 and 40.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 89 and 126.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central 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 4122 10114 4170 10117 4167 9994 4117 10005
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 177DEG 22KT 4137 10107 4147 10074 4135 10014 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

NMJ
353 
WWUS53 KLBF 310139
SVSLBF

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

NEC041-111-113-117-310149-
/O.EXP.KLBF.SV.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260531T0145Z/
Lincoln NE-Logan NE-McPherson NE-Custer NE-
839 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHERN LINCOLN...LOGAN...
EASTERN MCPHERSON AND WESTERN CUSTER COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM
CDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Nebraska.

LAT...LON 4122 10114 4170 10117 4167 9994 4117 10005
TIME...MOT...LOC 0139Z 182DEG 36KT 4146 10107 4156 10074 4144 10014 

$$

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, 6:32 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 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, 6:32 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
632 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 SATURDAY/...
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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 629 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

Scattered thunderstorms will occur this evening and overnight
across all of western and north central Nebraska. Otherwise area
of MVFR ceilings are expected for areas east of a line from ANW
to BBW. Winds will strong, variable and gusty near any
thunderstorm activity.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Kulik
LONG TERM...Kulik
AVIATION...Taylor
Hazardous weather outlook, May 30, 2:56 PM CDT, 5 hours 3 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

Local storm report, May 30, 7:37 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
737 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0734 PM     Hail             7 NW Wellfleet          40.83N 100.82W
05/30/2026  E1.25 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&
Local storm report, May 30, 7:39 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
739 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0735 PM     Hail             5 N Wellfleet           40.82N 100.75W
05/30/2026  E2.25 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&
Local storm report, May 30, 7:42 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
742 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0740 PM     Hail             6 NW Wellfleet          40.83N 100.79W
05/30/2026  E1.75 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&
Local storm report, May 30, 7:50 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
750 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0748 PM     Hail             4 NW Wellfleet          40.81N 100.75W
05/30/2026  E3.00 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&
Local storm report, May 30, 7:56 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
756 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0753 PM     Hail             5 N Wellfleet           40.82N 100.75W
05/30/2026  E2.75 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&
Local storm report, May 30, 7:58 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
758 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0758 PM     Hail             Brady                   41.02N 100.37W
05/30/2026  E1.50 Inch       Lincoln            NE   CO-OP Observer

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 30, 7:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFKeith, Perkins52 min
May 30, 7:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFLincoln40 min
May 30, 7:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFArthur, Cherry, Grant, Hooker, McPherson, Thomas39 min
May 30, 7:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFLincoln51 min
May 30, 7:38 PM CDTTornado WarningLBFLincoln18 min
May 30, 7:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFCherry, Grant, Hooker, Logan, McPherson, Thomas50 min
May 30, 7:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFCuster47 min
May 30, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFArthur, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Keith, Perkins46 min
May 30, 8:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCuster47 min
May 30, 9:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFBrown46 min
May 30, 9:40 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFGarfield50 min
May 30, 10:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHolt49 min
May 30, 10:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFKeya Paha41 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.