Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 13, NWS Omaha, NE
NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at May 17, 2026, 6:30 PM CDT for Colfax County, Platte County, Nebraska. It was in force for 18 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 17, 2026, 6:30 PM CDT (23:30 UTC)
- Expired
- May 17, 2026, 6:48 PM CDT
- In force
- 18 min
- Issued by
- NWS Omaha, NE
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.75 in
Counties Colfax County, NE, Platte County, NE
The radar
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:32 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 3:16 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 73 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1204 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 49 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 38 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -21 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
342
WFUS53 KOAX 172330
TOROAX
NEC037-141-180015-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0013.260517T2330Z-260518T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
630 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northern Colfax County in northeastern Nebraska...
East central Platte County in northeastern Nebraska...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 630 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles northeast of Lakeview, or 11 miles north of
Columbus, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball 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...
Howells around 650 PM CDT.
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 4162 9738 4175 9701 4174 9690 4173 9691
4159 9691 4151 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 248DEG 42KT 4160 9730
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
BLB2 follow-up statements
531
WWUS53 KOAX 172343
SVSOAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
643 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
NEC141-172352-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0015Z/
Platte NE-
643 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL PLATTE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A
severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Nebraska. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT
for northeastern and east central Nebraska.
&&
LAT...LON 4168 9719 4175 9701 4174 9690 4173 9691
4165 9691 4160 9717
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 248DEG 42KT 4166 9712
$$
NEC037-180015-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0015Z/
Colfax NE-
643 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
COLFAX COUNTY...
At 642 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles south of Clarkson, or 19 miles northeast of
Columbus, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball 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...
Howells around 650 PM CDT.
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 4168 9719 4175 9701 4174 9690 4173 9691
4165 9691 4160 9717
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 248DEG 42KT 4166 9712
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
BLB638
WWUS53 KOAX 172348 RRA
SVSOAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
648 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
NEC037-172358-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260518T0015Z/
Colfax NE-
648 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN COLFAX COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Nebraska. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT
for northeastern and east central Nebraska.
&&
LAT...LON 4168 9719 4175 9701 4174 9690 4173 9691
4165 9691 4160 9717
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 248DEG 42KT 4169 9703
$$
BLBWhat 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 May 17, 1:43 PM CDT, 4 hours 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 1:43 PM CDT, 4 hours 47 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
143 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you
live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility.
Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing
the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and
flash flooding.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 142 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
This afternoon, an elongated sfc low will be in place from SE
Colorado/SW Kansas up into the Dakotas. A dryline is set up toward
the KS/CO border and a warm front is located across central
Nebraska. Temps are currently in the 80s in the warm sector with
dewpoints in the mid-60s. SBCAPE values of 3500+ J/kg, MLCAPE values
of 3000+ J/kg and DCAPE values of 1200+ J/kg are expected. Expect
good instability through the afternoon/evening and fairly steep
lapse rates, particularly down into central and eastern Nebraska.
Portions of northeastern Nebraska in particular are showing
potential for an environment favorable for strong updrafts and
potentially some longer lived supercells. Any storms that are able
to get going and become sustained in that favorable environment
would have the best chance of developing a tornado, with some
potential to be strong. Storms are expected to develop into a line,
posing a damaging wind threat along with hail and tornadoes
possible.
Heading into Monday, a broad trough extends from the PACNW up into
eastern Nebraska/western Iowa. Another system moves in through the
day, bringing additional chances for strong to severe storms,
particularly for areas along and south of Interstate 80. There still
remain some questions as to how far north the warm front and system
get. The environment is expected to be primed with strong
instability and deep layer shear conducive for supercell development
and maintenance. With this type of set up, large hail and damaging
winds are to be expected in addition to the possibility for a few
strong and potentially long-lived tornadoes. Flash flooding will be
possible, particularly in areas that have also received a few inches
of rain over the last 48 hours.
Expect cooler temperatures for much of the week as a cold front
pushes into the region Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday bring relief
from the recent storms.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
KOFK: MVFR conditions persist at the terminal at the early onset of
the forecast period. Expect a chance for strong to severe
thunderstorms by 23Z. Any storms that do develop will have the
potential of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy
rainfall resulting in reductions to visibility. An isolated tornado
cannot be entirely ruled out. Winds shift from southeasterly
this afternoon to northwesterly by 23Z. Ceilings may fall to IFR
levels toward the end of the TAF period, after 11Z.
KOMA: VFR ceilings will deteriorate to MVFR as storms develop
this evening. Strong to severe thunderstorms with all hazards
are to be expected after 00Z with better chances closer to 02Z
at the terminal. South winds shift to the north tomorrow morning
by 13Z with ceilings expected to lower to IFR levels.
KLNK: VFR ceilings will lower to MVFR by 23Z as a storm system
moves into the region. Expect strong to severe thunderstorms as
early as 00Z with better potential after 02Z. All severe types
(hail, wind, isolate tornado) will be possible. South winds
persist through the afternoon, becoming northerly after 05Z.
Ceilings are expected to fall to IFR levels by 14Z.
&&
.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Tuesday morning
for NEZ065-066-068-078-088>093.
IA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...ANW
AVIATION...ANWHazardous weather outlook, May 17, 1:51 PM CDT, 4 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034- 042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-181900- 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- 151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after 4 PM, initially across northeast Nebraska before spreading south and east. Large hail (2+ inches), damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes (possibly strong) are the expected hazards. Heavy rain due to several storms moving over the same area may result in some concerns for flash flooding. A Tornado Watch has been issued for the northern portion of the outlook area through 10 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional strong to severe storms are forecast for Monday afternoon, with an increased threat for large hail (2-4+ inches) and strong tornadoes. Additional chances for heavy rainfall on top of what has already fallen since Friday night will result in a potential for flash flooding, particularly for portions of southeastern Nebraska. Chances to see severe storm activity is maximized over southeast Nebraska. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Any reports of hail, strong winds, tornadoes, flooding or damage are greatly appreciated today and Monday.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 17, 4:10 PM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
410 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 AM Rain 1 S Tecumseh 40.36N 96.19W
05/17/2026 M3.45 Inch Johnson NE CO-OP Observer
24 hour total.
&&
tsnLocal storm report, May 17, 6:08 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
608 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NNE Newman Grove 41.83N 97.73W
05/17/2026 M64 MPH Madison NE Public
Personal weather station.
&&
DACLocal storm report, May 17, 6:28 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
628 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Platte Center 41.56N 97.46W
05/17/2026 M71 MPH Platte NE Public
personal weather station.
&&
tsnThe office that day
Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 7:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Boone | 44 min |
| May 16, 7:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Saline | 43 min |
| May 16, 7:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler | 58 min |
| May 16, 7:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Saline | 47 min |
| May 16, 8:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saline, Seward | 54 min |
| May 16, 8:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage | 33 min |
| May 16, 8:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Wayne | 24 min |
| May 16, 8:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Saunders | 41 min |
| May 16, 8:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Jefferson, Saline | 50 min |
| May 16, 8:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage | 45 min |
| May 16, 8:43 PM CDT | Flood Watch | OAX | Butler, Cass, Douglas, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson and 9 more | 6 hr |
| May 16, 9:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Lancaster, Saline | 44 min |
| May 16, 9:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward | 35 min |
| May 16, 9:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage | 36 min |
| May 16, 9:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Pawnee | 48 min |
| May 16, 9:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saline | 56 min |
| May 16, 9:22 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Gage | 4 hr |
| May 16, 9:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage | 21 min |
| May 16, 9:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saunders | 16 min |
| May 16, 9:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders | 33 min |
| May 16, 9:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saunders | 26 min |
| May 16, 9:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson | 49 min |
| May 16, 10:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Jefferson, Saline, Seward | 48 min |
| May 16, 10:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Jefferson | 13 min |
| May 16, 10:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe | 62 min |
| May 16, 10:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saunders | 24 min |
| May 16, 10:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Saline | 53 min |
| May 16, 11:08 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Otoe | 3 hr |
| May 16, 11:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saline, Seward | 60 min |
| May 16, 11:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 58 min |
| May 16, 11:30 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Saline | 3 hr |
| May 16, 11:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Otoe | 47 min |
| May 16, 11:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Pawnee | 59 min |
| May 16, 11:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Pawnee | 46 min |
| May 17, 12:03 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Otoe, Saline | 57 min |
| May 17, 12:09 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Saline | 114 min |
| May 17, 12:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 79 min |
| May 17, 12:54 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe | 93 min |
| May 17, 11:52 AM CDT | Flood Watch | OAX | Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha and 5 more | 34 hr |
| May 17, 2:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Knox | 50 min |
| May 17, 5:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Boone, Platte | 56 min |
| May 17, 5:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Antelope, Boone, Madison, Platte | 43 min |
| May 17, 6:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Madison, Platte, Stanton | 44 min |
| May 17, 6:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Madison, Stanton, Wayne | 45 min |
| May 17, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Platte | 42 min |
| May 17, 6:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saline, Seward | 53 min |
| May 17, 6:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Colfax, Platte, Stanton | 25 min |
| May 17, 6:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Colfax, Cuming, Stanton | 49 min |
| May 17, 6:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Stanton, Thurston, Wayne | 66 min |
| May 17, 6:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saline, Saunders, Seward | 42 min |
| May 17, 6:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Platte | 51 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.