Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 11, NWS North Platte, NE

August 17, 2026Garfield County, Wheeler County, Nebraska

NWS North Platte, NE issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2026, 7:50 PM CDT for Garfield County, Wheeler County, Nebraska. It was in force for 40 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
Aug 17, 2026, 7:50 PM CDT (00:50 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS North Platte, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.25 in

Counties Garfield County, NE, Wheeler County, NE

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:52 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
Aug 17, 8:39 PM CDTHAIL 1.758 Ene Burwell, NEPing pong to golf ball. Time estimated from radar.
Aug 17, 8:40 PM CDTHAIL 27 Ene Burwell, NE

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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
Aug 17, 5:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 150 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 2026-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2080 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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 2026-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -13 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
2080 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2076 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
116 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

431 
WFUS53 KLBF 180050
TORLBF
NEC071-183-180130-
/O.NEW.KLBF.TO.W.0011.260818T0050Z-260818T0130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service North Platte NE
750 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Garfield County in north central Nebraska...
  Southwestern Wheeler County in north central Nebraska...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 750 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 8 miles east of Calamus Reservoir State Recreation
  Area, or 8 miles north of Burwell, moving southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  southern Garfield and southwestern Wheeler Counties, including the
  following locations... Deverre.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4174 9911 4188 9923 4194 9922 4200 9908
      4174 9863
TIME...MOT...LOC 0050Z 302DEG 19KT 4190 9911 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

NWS LBF
1 follow-up statement
184 
WWUS53 KLBF 180108
SVSLBF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
808 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

NEC183-180118-
/O.CAN.KLBF.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260818T0130Z/
Wheeler NE-
808 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN WHEELER COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
north central Nebraska.

LAT...LON 4174 9908 4186 9915 4192 9903 4174 9876
TIME...MOT...LOC 0108Z 312DEG 26KT 4185 9904 

$$

NEC071-180130-
/O.CON.KLBF.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260818T0130Z/
Garfield NE-
808 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
GARFIELD COUNTY...

At 808 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Burwell, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Deverre.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4174 9908 4186 9915 4192 9903 4174 9876
TIME...MOT...LOC 0108Z 312DEG 26KT 4185 9904 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

NWS LBF

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Aug 17, 6:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier. Its 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.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 6:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
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, Aug 17, 4:06 PM CDT, 3 hours 44 minutes before
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.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 6:55 PM CDT, 55 minutes before
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
Local storm report, Aug 17, 7:09 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
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, Aug 17, 7:19 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
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
Local storm report, Aug 17, 7:21 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
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
Local storm report, Aug 17, 7:26 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
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
Local storm report, Aug 17, 7:49 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service North Platte NE
749 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0747 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     7 ESE Keystone          41.18N 101.47W
08/17/2026  M66 MPH          Keith              NE   Mesonet

            Davis Weatherlink station.

&&

MRS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 7:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFGarfield, Holt, Loup, Rock40 min
Aug 17, 7:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFCherry, Sheridan50 min
Aug 17, 7:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFChase, Perkins46 min
Aug 17, 7:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFKeith41 min
Aug 17, 7:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFGarfield, Holt, Wheeler57 min
Aug 17, 7:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFKeith, Lincoln38 min
Aug 17, 7:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFGarden, Grant39 min
Aug 17, 7:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFGarfield, Loup, Wheeler65 min
Aug 17, 7:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatLBFKeith, Lincoln48 min
Aug 17, 8:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHooker41 min
Aug 17, 8:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFCherry60 min
Aug 17, 8:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFHolt30 min
Aug 17, 8:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFLincoln42 min
Aug 17, 8:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry39 min
Aug 17, 8:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFGarfield, Wheeler38 min
Aug 17, 8:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry, Keya Paha51 min
Aug 17, 9:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFWheeler41 min
Aug 17, 9:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry44 min
Aug 17, 9:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFLincoln26 min
Aug 17, 9:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFBrown, Cherry, Keya Paha52 min
Aug 17, 9:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHooker32 min
Aug 17, 9:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFBrown29 min
Aug 17, 9:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFCherry, Hooker, Thomas54 min
Aug 17, 9:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFBrown, Cherry, Rock38 min
Aug 17, 9:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFHolt63 min
Aug 17, 10:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFCuster64 min
Aug 17, 10:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFBrown, Holt, Rock45 min
Aug 17, 10:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLBFBoyd, Holt, Keya Paha, Rock40 min
Aug 17, 10:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLBFHolt42 min
Aug 17, 11:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFWheeler49 min
Aug 17, 11:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFGarfield, Wheeler32 min
Aug 18, 4:45 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLBFCuster45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.