Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Omaha, NE

April 11, 2026Gage County, Jefferson County, Nebraska

NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at Apr 11, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT for Gage County, Jefferson County, Nebraska. It was in force for 13 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
Apr 11, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT (23:33 UTC)
Expired
Apr 11, 2026, 6:46 PM CDT
In force
13 min
Issued by
NWS Omaha, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Gage County, NE, Jefferson County, NE

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:34 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 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
Apr 11, 4:31 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 168 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 314 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
678 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
314 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
339 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

559 
WFUS53 KOAX 112333
TOROAX
NEC067-095-120015-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0001.260411T2333Z-260412T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
633 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East central Jefferson County in southeastern Nebraska...
  West central Gage County in southeastern Nebraska...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 633 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Diller, or 11 miles east of Fairbury, moving
  northeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Harbine around 640 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Beatrice.

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 4005 9697 4011 9706 4036 9686 4023 9662
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 226DEG 23KT 4013 9696 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Petersen
2 follow-up statements
384 
WWUS53 KOAX 112342
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
642 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

NEC067-095-120015-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260412T0015Z/
Jefferson NE-Gage NE-
642 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND WEST CENTRAL GAGE COUNTIES...

At 642 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Harbine, or 11 miles southwest of Beatrice, moving
north at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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
east central Jefferson and west central Gage Counties, including the
following locations... Ellis and Homestead National Historical Park.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4011 9689 4017 9701 4036 9686 4026 9668
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 200DEG 28KT 4019 9694 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Petersen
490 
WWUS53 KOAX 112346
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
646 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

NEC067-095-112356-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260412T0015Z/
Jefferson NE-Gage NE-
646 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND WEST CENTRAL
GAGE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4011 9689 4017 9701 4036 9686 4026 9668
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 226DEG 23KT 4021 9691 

$$

Petersen

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 Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 11, 1:39 PM CDT, 4 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Conditional threat for strong to severe storms (20 to 40% chance) expected today. If a storm can develop, it will likely become severe with all hazards possible.
  • Showers and storms persist for Sunday, particular in far southeast Nebraska toward western Iowa (25 to 50% chance). A strong storm or two may occur (5% chance).
  • Active pattern continues into next week with continued shower and storm chances. Some storms may be strong, particularly on Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s persist before a slight cool down expected on Friday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 11, 1:39 PM CDT, 4 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
139 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Conditional threat for strong to severe storms (20 to 40%
  chance) expected today. If a storm can develop, it will likely
  become severe with all hazards possible.

- Showers and storms persist for Sunday, particular in far
  southeast Nebraska toward western Iowa (25 to 50% chance). A
  strong storm or two may occur (5% chance).

- Active pattern continues into next week with continued shower
  and storm chances. Some storms may be strong, particularly on
  Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s persist
  before a slight cool down expected on Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 139 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

.SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...

18z RAP objective analysis at H8 shows a 30 to 40kt LLJ pointing
into much of the Central and Northern Plains. This feature helped
force widespread showers and storms earlier this morning, with most
locations receiving anywhere from a tenth to quarter of an inch of
rainfall, while far southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa received
a healthy half inch to inch.

A brief lull in activity is expected for the early afternoon with
only a few lingering rain showers. Expect highs today to reach the
60s to low 70s with gusty south-southeasterly winds. A stronger H5
shortwave off to the west will eventually result in a sfc low
developing out in the western Dakotas. The feature will lift a
boundary and plume of moisture back into the area with dew points
increasing to the low to mid 60s. A secondary shortwave now
currently over northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska will also
eject northeast toward the area. Instability of 1,500 to 2,000 j/kg
in addition to 30 to 35 kts of 0-6 km bulk shear will be available
for convection to use **IF** it can develop and sustain itself.
Forecast BUFKIT soundings suggest weak capping hanging on across
much of the forecast area aside from portions of southeast Nebraska
where daytime heating may erode the feature.

Latest 12z CAM output suggests a variety of scenarios that could
occur. Some guidance like the NSSL WRF tries to develop some
convection in southeast Nebraska as early as 19-20z as the secondary
H5 wave inches closer to the area, likely rooted aloft per forecast
soundings. However, other guidance like the HiRes ARW, FV3, and
eventually the NSSL WRF develop convection around 23z/00z that would
likely be sfc based. 12z and subsequent runs of the HRRR model seem
the least interested in firing off and sustaining any convection in
the area likely due to the nebulous forcing from the wave being
unable to break the cap. All this to say that lots of uncertainty
exists regarding if convection will develop. If convection does
form, it will likely become severe with large hail and strong winds,
and if it can become sfc based, a tornado cannot be ruled out
(especially in southeast Nebraska) given the impressive low level
curvature observed in hodographs and model output 0-1 km SRH of 100-
200 m2/s2. A conditional marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe
weather is in place for much of the forecast area this afternoon and
evening.

Given the uncertainty of showers and storms developing, have
continued trend of keeping lower PoPs of 20 to 40% for much of the
forecast area this afternoon and evening. Overnight into early
Sunday morning, CAMs suggest a few lingering showers across the area
(15-20% chance). Lows tonight remain mild in the upper 50s to low
60s.

Sunday will see some continued chances for showers and
thunderstorms, this time over our far southeast areas (25-50%
chance). Model guidance indicates a second wave clipping those areas
along with continued warm air advection helping provide lift,
although the better moisture transport shifts east of the area by
Sunday afternoon. If convection is able to develop, could see
another threat for strong to severe storms with lingering
instability/borderline shear of 25 to 30 kts. A marginal risk for
severe storms remains in place for much of eastern Nebraska and
western Iowa. Highs Sunday warm to the mid 70s to mid 80s over our
far northwest with gusty southwest winds. Our far northwest could
see some high to very high fire danger too, but that may be negated
by the recent rainfall we've received/the spring greenup. The lowest
RH of 15 to 20% also doesn't appear to overlap with the strongest
wind speeds.

Sunday night may see a few lingering rain showers and thunderstorms,
mainly over our far eastern areas with chances remaining at 20 to
40%.

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...

The active pattern for showers and storms will continue into much of
next week. For Monday, will see another H8 baroclinic zone lift
northeast across the area with continued warm air advection helping
push temperatures to the 80s areawide. A sfc low will track
northeast through the area in tandem with a mid level wave which may
help spark some showers and storms. However, the LLJ looks to point
more toward the east, away from the forecast area. If a storm
manages to form, it could become strong. NBM currently suggests only
a 15 to 20% chance for some light PoPs along our northern and
eastern border areas for Monday.

By Tuesday, should see a more potent H5 shortwave lift northeast
from the Four Corners area into the Central and Northern Plains. Lee
cyclogenesis ensues with the sfc cyclone tracking northeast
throughout the day. Model guidance suggests the best instability and
moisture pooling behind the front over our far eastern and
southeastern service area. Coupled with strong deep-layer shear,
should see another severe threat for the area (15% chance for areas
east of a Lincoln to Omaha line). PoPs remain at 20 to 40% areawide
Tuesday.

Model guidance stalls the shortwave a bit by Wednesday with
lingering showers before finally lifting out of the area Thursday
with brief ridging. Continued disturbances are progged to track
through the area by late Thursday into Friday resulting in continued
PoP chances of 20 to 40% by Friday. Temperatures Tuesday through
Thursday remain warm in the 70s and 80s before a slight cool down to
the 60s to low 70s arrives for Friday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1241 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

A low stratus deck remains in place over terminals this
afternoon resulting in IFR ceilings. Some breaks in clouds to
scattered may occur before broken and overcast ceilings lift to
MVFR and eventually VFR. Have adjusted times a bit earlier for
stratus clearing out with this issuance based on latest model
guidance. 1738z radar imagery shows ongoing areas of showers
and storms just south of KLNK. Some of these may clip the
terminal within the next two hours or so, but considerable
uncertainty exists on if these storms will sustain themselves so
have left mentions out of TAF for now. More showers and storms
may redevelop late this afternoon into the evening hours (30 to
40% chance), but lots of spread exists amongst model solutions
on if storms will even develop. If storms form, they could be
strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds, and a tornado.

Ceilings deteriorate back to MVFR after 08z at KOMA and KLNK
and persist into Sunday morning. Gusty southeasterly winds of
25 to 30 kts persist for much of the TAF period, but turn
southerly late tonight.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Castillo
AVIATION...Castillo
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 11, 5:43 PM CDT, 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
543 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-
042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-122245-
Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-
Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-
Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-
Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-
Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson-
543 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast
Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected, particularly for areas
along the Nebraska/Kansas border this evening. The main concerns with
any storms in this region will be damaging winds, hail and/or a
tornado.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Daily thunderstorm chances continue Sunday in into early next week.
Strong to severe storms will be possible at times, especially on
Tuesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this evening.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 11, 5:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJefferson44 min
Apr 11, 6:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson39 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.