Alert archive / Nebraska / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 52, NWS North Platte, NE

June 4, 2026Cherry County, Sheridan County, Nebraska

NWS North Platte, NE issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 4, 2026, 7:53 PM MDT for Cherry County, Sheridan County, Nebraska. It was in force for 67 min. 1 report 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
Jun 4, 2026, 7:53 PM MDT (01:53 UTC)
Expired
Jun 4, 2026, 9:00 PM MDT
In force
67 min
Issued by
NWS North Platte, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cherry County, NE, Sheridan County, NE

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:55 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
Jun 4, 8:02 PM MDTTSTM WND GST 636 Wsw Eli, NECorrects previous tstm wnd gst report from 6 WSW Eli.

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 9 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 nearest sounding before it

Rapid City, SD (KUNR), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 170 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, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-06-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 614 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, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-06-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -5 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
614 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-179 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1264 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
147 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

682 
WUUS53 KLBF 050153
SVRLBF
NEC031-161-050300-
/O.NEW.KLBF.SV.W.0052.260605T0153Z-260605T0300Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service North Platte NE
753 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Cherry County in north central Nebraska...
  Northeastern Sheridan County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...

* Until 900 PM MDT.

* At 752 PM MDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from 9 miles northwest of Merriman to 12 miles east of
  Gordon to 18 miles southeast of Rushville, moving east at 25 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. At 735 PM MDT a 58 MPH wind gust was 
           reported at the Gordon airpport. 

  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...
  Cody, Merriman, Medicine Lake, Highway 61 crossing the Snake River,
  Eli, Irwin, Highway 27 crossing the Niobrara River, Intersection of
  Highway 20 and Irwin Road, Shell Lake State Wildlife Management
  Area, Rock Hill, Bayonne, Intersection of Highway 27 and Mills
  Road, Highway 61 Crossing The Niobrara River, and Intersection of
  Highway 61 and Shadbolt Road.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 110 and 161.
 Highway 61 between mile markers 197 and 230.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4299 10120 4282 10123 4251 10163 4257 10237
      4278 10214 4299 10209
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 268DEG 23KT 4298 10187 4278 10197 4254 10220 

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

$$

Buttler
1 follow-up statement
207 
WWUS53 KLBF 050206
SVSLBF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
806 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

NEC031-161-050300-
/O.CON.KLBF.SV.W.0052.000000T0000Z-260605T0300Z/
Cherry NE-Sheridan NE-
806 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN CHERRY AND NORTHEASTERN SHERIDAN COUNTIES...

At 805 PM MDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Merriman to 17 miles west of Medicine Lake to 18
miles south of Gordon, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable 
         tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
         roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Cody, Merriman, Medicine Lake, Highway 61 crossing the Snake River,
Eli, Irwin, Highway 27 crossing the Niobrara River, Intersection of
Highway 20 and Irwin Road, Shell Lake State Wildlife Management Area,
Rock Hill, Bayonne, Intersection of Highway 27 and Mills Road,
Highway 61 Crossing The Niobrara River, and Intersection of Highway
61 and Shadbolt Road.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 110 and 161.
 Highway 61 between mile markers 197 and 230.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4299 10120 4282 10123 4251 10163 4257 10237
      4278 10214 4299 10209
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 275DEG 32KT 4298 10176 4275 10178 4255 10209 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Buttler

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 Jun 4, 5:02 PM MDT, 2 hours 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe thunderstorms remain possible each afternoon/evening Thursday and Friday, with damaging wind gusts and large hail the main concerns.
  • Drier conditions arrive for this weekend with a brief return to low and middle 90s on Saturday.
  • Warmer temperatures appear likely to arrive around the middle of next week with 40-70% potential for temperatures to exceed 100F Tue-Thu.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 4, 5:02 PM MDT, 2 hours 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
602 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe thunderstorms remain possible each afternoon/evening Thursday
  and Friday, with damaging wind gusts and large hail the main
  concerns.

- Drier conditions arrive for this weekend with a brief return
  to low and middle 90s on Saturday.

- Warmer temperatures appear likely to arrive around the middle
  of next week with 40-70% potential for temperatures to exceed
  100F Tue-Thu.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 325 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026

Currently, conditions are largely quiet across central and western
Nebraska. Lingering low clouds hover over central Nebraska with
greater clearing to the west across the Sandhills into the Panhandle
region. This is associated with a passing shortwave trough bringing
rain and thunderstorms across much of south central and southeast
Nebraska. Behind the trough axis, subsidence is helping to erode the
lower clouds and this is evident on recent satellite imagery which
shows the cu field dissipating. Temperatures ranged from upper 70s
where clouds were more prevalent into the afternoon and lower 80s in
the west. Expect temperatures to climb a few more degrees this
afternoon with dry conditions expected to persist through at least
late afternoon.

For late this afternoon/tonight...attention will turn to western
Nebraska for the potential for isolated thunderstorms capable of
large hail and damaging wind gusts. Latest satellite imagery shows
vigorous cumulus and heaps across southeast Wyoming up through
southeast Montana. At the surface, a stalled frontal boundary
emanates east-northeast across far northwest Nebraska into central
and eastern South Dakota. As diurnal mixing continues, convective
temperatures should be breached effectively removing any lingering
capping inversion and storms should develop in areas with favorable
orographic. Subsidence behind the departing shortwave over
southeast Nebraska may hinder development somewhat but CAMs continue
to advocate for a few storms to reach the Sandhills and portions of
southwest Nebraska this evening. Forecast soundings depict large
inverted-v profiles with weak winds beneath the LCL. This suggests
primarily a damaging wind gust potential. Though shear is stronger
up north across South Dakota, forecast soundings show reasonable mid-
level shear with largely straight profiles. This suggests a
potential for splitting supercells capable of severe hail as well.
Storms should be ongoing to the west by 5-6pm CDT and move into our
western zones around 6-8pm CDT. Expectation is for fairly
progressive west to east motions with a quick weakening of activity
towards Midnight CDT. Some isolated showers and general
thunderstorms may persist into early Friday morning, but this is not
expected to be severe. Lows tonight will remain on the mild side
with values in the middle to upper 50s. Did add a mention of patchy
fog across largely central Nebraska tonight into early Friday. Both
SREF/HREF highlight 50%+ potential for visibilities to fall below
1SM. Raw HRRR output suggests a FG.Y may need considered this
evening but will defer to later shifts once confidence in magnitude
of impacts improves.

Friday/Friday Night...rain and thunderstorms are again possible
during the late afternoon and evening. The frontal boundary from
Thursday will be forced south from thunderstorm activity as a
surface low takes shape over southeast Colorado/northeast New
Mexico. This boundary should settle around a MCK to LXN to GRI line.
Warmer temperatures will reside to the south, with upper 80s to
lower 90s, while areas to the north should only manage to reach the
middle 80s. Strong theta-e fetch at h85 will nose into the boundary
off the surface and lead to fairly rapid thunderstorms development
in the afternoon and evening hours. This will focus along and just
north of the aforementioned surface boundary. Shear vectors are
largely parallel to the surface boundary and this will favor fairly
quick upscale growth. CAMs and mid-range models suggest development
will favor eastern Nebraska with potential to extend further west
towards central Nebraska. This puts the local area on the western
periphery of any development with about a 50/50 split in NWP
guidance giving us anything regarding rain/thunderstorms. Because of
this, PoPs were kept low at or below 20% with even lower confidence
in seeing severe weather. Temperatures will again be on the milder
side with lows ranging from the middle 50s to near 60F.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 325 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026

This weekend...much warmer temperatures will briefly arrive as
conditions dry out. Amplifying ridge will lead to rapid height rises
across the Central and Northern Plains. A thermal ridge will nose in
as southwesterly mid-level flow develops on the upstream side of the
high pressure aloft. Deepening low pressure across northwest Wyoming
will strengthen southerly flow leading to breezy conditions.
Temperatures at h7 will reach the 12-14C range as 1000-500 thickness
values exceed 580 dam. NBM median output shows upper 90s for
southwest Nebraska with higher percentile outputs reaching triple
digits. ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index (EFI) shows 0.6-0.8 values
across the Sandhills into the Panhandle, further illustrating the
anomalous warmth expected. Current forecast highs call from middle
to upper 90s west of Highway 83 with lower 90s to the east. While
falling short of conventional head headline criteria, concern is
increasing given it's a weekend and one of the first heat concern
days of the season. Folks are advised caution if expecting to be
outdoors for extended periods of time. While not a conventional
ridge breakdown, an embedded disturbance within the ridging aloft
will lift north and east through the Southern and Central Plains.
While no significant airmass change is expected, passing upper-level
troughing and an influx of greater moisture should support not only
slightly increased precipitation chances but a 4-6F cooldown across
the board. Even so, highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s will still
be something for folks to consider as they make their plans. Evening
thunderstorms are possible as moisture continues to stream into the
area and a sharp dryline stalls across the High Plains. PoPs
increase quickly in the evening, particularly west of Highway 83.
Adequate instability and deep-layer shear appears adequate for a
threat for strong to severe thunderstorms so stay tuned.

Monday and beyond...temperatures again begin to moderate early next
work week as ridging returns behind the lifting shortwave trough.
EFI continues to highlight increasingly anomalous heat towards the
middle of the week with 0.6-0.8 and non-zero Shift of Tails values
arriving for Tuesday and Wednesday. NBM highlights 40%+ potential
for exceeding 100F by Tuesday, peaking around 50-70% on Wednesday.
The latest forecast highs approach record levels for Wednesday
(06/10) and this bears watching over the next few days.
Interestingly, 100F+ days have only occurred on 06/10 at VTN 4 times
previously, most recently in 1976. With the current forecast high of
101F, this would be the earliest instance of a 100F+ observed high
temperature at Valentine since 2020 and nearly a month before the
average first 100F+ date in the site's history. As broad troughing
becomes established across the northwest, enhanced mid-level flow
will develop and cross the Rockies overtop a fairly humid airmass
across the Plains. This should set the area up for the potential for
organized convection. Whether this remains north of the area or
brings some impacts locally remains to be seen and will likely hinge
on smaller scale local influences, of which will be very difficult
to glean at this range.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 602 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026

For the KLBF terminal: Thunderstorms are expected to dissipate
as they approach the terminal this evening. However, mid level
cloudiness will increase as storms decay off to the west.
Ceilings may fall to around 15000 FT AGL with broken to overcast
coverage. Skies will then scatter out by late evening with cloud
decks around 25000 FT AGL. For the KVTN terminal: There will be
an increasing threat for thunderstorms later this evening with
the greatest threat between 03z and 07z. Some gusts may reach up
to 40 KTS INVOF storms with visibilities as low as 3 to 5SM with
the stronger storms. The threat for thunderstorms will end after
07z with broken mid level cloudiness persisting overnight.
Ceilings will range from 10000 to 12000 FT AGL. Skies will then
clear Friday morning with scattered high clouds around 25000 FT
AGL.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...NMJ
LONG TERM...NMJ
AVIATION...Buttler
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 4, 2:49 PM MDT, 5 hours 4 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
349 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-052100-
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-
349 PM CDT Thu Jun 4 2026 /249 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Late this afternoon into the evening, isolated to widely scattered
thunderstorms will begin to develop across western Nebraska and move
east into the local area. A few storms may be strong to severe with
damaging winds and large hail the main concerns.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Thunderstorms are possible across far southeastern areas Friday
afternoon and evening, with a few possibly severe. Thunderstorms
chances return Sunday into Monday. At this time, the threat for
severe weather is uncertain.

Temperatures will reach the mid 90s Saturday, with 95 to 100
possible by next Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 4, 5:04 PM MDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
504 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

NEZ022-056-042345-
Deuel NE-Garden NE-
504 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN GARDEN AND WESTERN
DEUEL COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM MDT...

At 504 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles east of Dalton to
near Colton. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Chappell, Oshkosh, Lisco, Mount Vernon, Intersection of Highway 27
and 9 Mile Road, and Sugar Loaf Hill.

This includes Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 78 and
93.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4156 10234 4100 10233 4100 10261 4139 10261
      4140 10264 4152 10264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 263DEG 26KT 4143 10285 4119 10288

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gomez
Special weather statement, Jun 4, 5:41 PM MDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
541 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

NEZ022-035-056-057-050015-
Deuel NE-Arthur NE-Garden NE-Keith NE-
541 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN ARTHUR...WESTERN
KEITH...SOUTHERN GARDEN AND DEUEL COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM MDT...

At 541 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles south of Crescent
Lake National Wildlife Refuge to near Chappell. Movement was east at
30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Chappell, Oshkosh, Big Springs, Lewellen, Barton, Eagle Gulch
Campground, Ruthon, Clear Creek State Wildlife Management Area,
Dogtown Flats, Intersection of Highway 27 and 9 Mile Road, Megeath,
Ash Hollow State Historical Park, Mount Vernon, Goldeneye State
Wildlife Management Area, Bluewater Battlefield State Historical
Park, Windlass Hill, and Sugar Loaf Hill.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 115 and 125.
 Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 80 and 113.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4163 10187 4102 10197 4101 10259 4164 10248
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 265DEG 49KT 4158 10241 4116 10248

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gomez
Special weather statement, Jun 4, 7:15 PM MDT, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
715 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

NEZ004-094-050200-
Sheridan NE-Western Cherry NE-
715 PM MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CHERRY AND
NORTHEASTERN SHERIDAN COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM MDT...

At 715 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles southeast of Gordon, moving east at 25 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...
Highway 61 crossing the Snake River, Highway 61 Crossing The Niobrara
River, Indian Hill, Intersection of Highway 61 and Shadbolt Road,
Intersection of Highway 20 and Irwin Road, Rock Hill, and Bayonne.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 117 and 121.
 Highway 61 between mile markers 198 and 221.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4257 10207 4278 10207 4292 10146 4250 10143
TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 267DEG 23KT 4269 10191

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

Buttler

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 4, 7:26 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry49 min
Jun 4, 8:13 PM MDTTornado WarningLBFCherry22 min
Jun 4, 8:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFCherry51 min
Jun 4, 9:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry46 min
Jun 4, 9:47 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFBrown, Cherry, Keya Paha43 min
Jun 5, 1:54 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFCherry51 min
Jun 5, 12:34 PM MDTFire Weather WatchLBFArthur, Cherry, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Keith and 1 more13 hr

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.