Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 47, NWS North Platte, NE

May 30, 2026Custer County, Nebraska

NWS North Platte, NE issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 30, 2026, 8:43 PM CDT for Custer County, Nebraska. It was in force for 47 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, 8:43 PM CDT (01:43 UTC)
Expired: May 30, 2026, 9:30 PM CDT
In force: 47 min
Issued by: NWS North Platte, NE
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Custer County, NE

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 119 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:44 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 30, 4:59 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 103 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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.

504 
WUUS53 KLBF 310143
SVRLBF
NEC041-310230-
/O.NEW.KLBF.SV.W.0047.260531T0143Z-260531T0230Z/

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

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Eastern Custer County in central Nebraska...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 843 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Broken Bow to near Ansley to near Loup City,
  moving northeast at 35 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Broken Bow, Sargent, Ansley, Mason City, Comstock, Berwyn,
  Weissert, Westerville, Round Valley, Walworth, Arcadia Diversion
  Dam State Wildlife Management Area, Gavin Siding, Wescott, Buckeye,
  Big Oak Canyon, and Divide Hill.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 183 between mile markers 79 and 121.
 Highway 2 between mile markers 273 and 307.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 300 and 308.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4110 9921 4113 9941 4128 9986 4174 9952
      4174 9921
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 247DEG 30KT 4143 9969 4136 9935 4123 9899 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Brown

2 follow-up statements

554 
WWUS53 KLBF 310159
SVSLBF

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

NEC041-310230-
/O.CON.KLBF.SV.W.0047.000000T0000Z-260531T0230Z/
Custer NE-
859 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN CUSTER COUNTY...

At 858 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 9 miles west of Sargent to near Comstock to Sherman
Reservoir Dam, moving northeast at 30 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Sargent, Comstock, Weissert, Westerville, Lillian, Round Valley,
Walworth, Big Oak Canyon, Arcadia Diversion Dam State Wildlife
Management Area, Divide Hill, and Wescott.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 183 between mile markers 93 and 121.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 305 and 308.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4124 9921 4135 9946 4153 9968 4174 9952
      4174 9921
TIME...MOT...LOC 0158Z 238DEG 28KT 4161 9954 4148 9921 4132 9889 

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

$$

Brown

580 
WWUS53 KLBF 310220
SVSLBF

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

NEC041-310230-
/O.EXP.KLBF.SV.W.0047.000000T0000Z-260531T0230Z/
Custer NE-
920 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CUSTER COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM CDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds are still possible with these thunderstorms.

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

LAT...LON 4124 9921 4135 9946 4153 9968 4174 9952
      4174 9921
TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 270DEG 30KT 4168 9933 4155 9900 4139 9868 

$$

Brown

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, 2 hours 11 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, 2 hours 11 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 47 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, 8:03 PM CDT, 40 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
803 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0756 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 SW Whitman            41.98N 101.59W
05/30/2026  M70 MPH          Grant              NE   Public

&&

Local storm report, May 30, 8:08 PM CDT, 35 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
808 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0755 PM     Hail             Maxwell                 41.08N 100.53W
05/30/2026  E1.00 Inch       Lincoln            NE   Public

&&

Local storm report, May 30, 8:14 PM CDT, 29 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
814 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0807 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 SE Big Springs        41.02N 102.02W
05/30/2026  E61 MPH          Keith              NE   Public

&&

Local storm report, May 30, 8:24 PM CDT, 19 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
824 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0728 PM     Tornado          9 N Wellfleet           40.88N 100.76W
05/30/2026                   Lincoln            NE   Storm Chaser

            Storm Spotter reported tornado via Twitter.

&&

Local storm report, May 30, 8:26 PM CDT, 17 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
826 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0815 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 ENE Lewellen          41.36N 102.06W
05/30/2026  M62 MPH          Garden             NE   Public

&&

Local storm report, May 30, 8:41 PM CDT, 2 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
841 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026

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

0829 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     10 SW Mason City        41.13N 99.46W
05/30/2026  E70 MPH          Custer             NE   Public

&&

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 30, 7:08 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LBF	Keith, Perkins	52 min
May 30, 7:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LBF	Lincoln	40 min
May 30, 7:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	LBF	Arthur, Cherry, Grant, Hooker, McPherson, Thomas	39 min
May 30, 7:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	LBF	Lincoln	51 min
May 30, 7:38 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LBF	Lincoln	18 min
May 30, 7:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	LBF	Cherry, Grant, Hooker, Logan, McPherson, Thomas	50 min
May 30, 7:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	LBF	Custer	47 min
May 30, 7:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LBF	Custer, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson	46 min
May 30, 8:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LBF	Arthur, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Keith, Perkins	46 min
May 30, 9:29 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LBF	Brown	46 min
May 30, 9:40 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LBF	Garfield	50 min
May 30, 10:26 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LBF	Holt	49 min
May 30, 10:34 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LBF	Keya Paha	41 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2026 Every 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.