Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 49, NWS Omaha, NE

August 13, 20264 counties in Nebraska

NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at Aug 13, 2026, 2:41 AM CDT for 4 counties in Nebraska. It was in force for 34 min. 4 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 13, 2026, 2:41 AM CDT (07:41 UTC)
Expired
Aug 13, 2026, 3:15 AM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Omaha, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Colfax County, NE, Madison County, NE, Platte County, NE, Stanton County, NE

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:42 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 13, 2:50 AM CDTTORNADO3 Se Humphrey, NENWS storm survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with maximum estimated wind speeds of 65 mph. The tornado touched down east of Highway 81 to the southeast of Humphrey, NE near 250 Ave and flattened corn in a field and took down some small branches. The tornado cont
Aug 13, 2:56 AM CDTTORNADO3 Wsw Leigh, NENWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated wind speeds of 110 mph. The tornado touched down west of a cemetery near 130 Ave southwest of Leigh, NE. The tornado did significant tree damage to the cemetery, snapping 10-12 trees and damagin
Aug 13, 3:04 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 Sw Leigh, NELocal EM passing along tree and power line damage that has closed Church street. Time estimated from radar data.
Aug 13, 3:04 AM CDTTORNADO1 Sw Leigh, NENWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated wind speeds of 95 mph. The short-track tornado touched down on the west side of the Club 91 Golf Course and moved northeast across Road V where concentrated tree damage occurred. The tornado con

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 3 storm reports to this tornado 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 13, 1:31 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 99 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-08-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2691 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-08-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 64 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
2691 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-151 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1336 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
64 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
129 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

636 
WFUS53 KOAX 130741
TOROAX
NEC037-119-141-167-130815-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0049.260813T0741Z-260813T0815Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
241 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Madison County in northeastern Nebraska...
  Northwestern Colfax County in northeastern Nebraska...
  Northeastern Platte County in northeastern Nebraska...
  Southwestern Stanton County in northeastern Nebraska...

* Until 315 AM CDT.

* At 240 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 5 miles southeast of Lindsay, or 20 miles northwest of
  Columbus, moving east at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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...
  Humphrey around 245 AM CDT.
  Creston around 255 AM CDT.

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

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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4182 9734 4178 9723 4168 9718 4160 9763
      4163 9766 4168 9769
TIME...MOT...LOC 0740Z 247DEG 34KT 4166 9760 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

KG
2 follow-up statements
515 
WWUS53 KOAX 130747
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
247 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

NEC037-119-141-167-130815-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260813T0815Z/
Madison NE-Colfax NE-Platte NE-Stanton NE-
247 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MADISON...NORTHWESTERN COLFAX...NORTHEASTERN PLATTE AND
SOUTHWESTERN STANTON COUNTIES...

At 247 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Humphrey, or 19 miles northwest of Columbus, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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...
  Creston around 255 AM 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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4182 9734 4178 9723 4168 9718 4161 9753
      4164 9756 4169 9759
TIME...MOT...LOC 0747Z 247DEG 34KT 4169 9751 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

KG
576 
WWUS53 KOAX 130757
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
257 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

NEC119-130807-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260813T0815Z/
Madison NE-
257 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MADISON 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 800 AM CDT for
northeastern Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4179 9728 4178 9723 4168 9718 4164 9738
      4167 9741 4171 9742
TIME...MOT...LOC 0757Z 247DEG 34KT 4173 9739 

$$

NEC037-141-167-130815-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260813T0815Z/
Colfax NE-Platte NE-Stanton NE-
257 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN COLFAX...NORTHEASTERN PLATTE AND SOUTH CENTRAL STANTON
COUNTIES...

At 257 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Creston, or 20 miles north of Columbus, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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...
  Creston around 300 AM 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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4179 9728 4178 9723 4168 9718 4164 9738
      4167 9741 4171 9742
TIME...MOT...LOC 0757Z 247DEG 34KT 4173 9739 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

KG

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 Aug 13, 12:22 AM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is a 60 to 100% chance for showers and storms for areas along and north of Interstate 80 after midnight tonight. Storms will likely be severe with damaging wind gusts, some of which could be significant (65-80 mph), and heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding.
  • More showers and storms develop Thursday evening into Friday morning (30 chance south, 80% north). Some storms could be strong.
  • Periodic shower and storm chances continue through the weekend into early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 12:22 AM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1222 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a 60 to 100% chance for showers and storms for areas
  along and north of Interstate 80 after midnight tonight.
  Storms will likely be severe with damaging wind gusts, some of
  which could be significant (65-80 mph), and heavy rainfall
  which may lead to flash flooding.

- More showers and storms develop Thursday evening into Friday
  morning (30 chance south, 80% north). Some storms could be
  strong.

- Periodic shower and storm chances continue through the weekend
  into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1215 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Ridging is evident over the south central CONUS on this evening's
water vapor imagery. Overshooting tops in western Nebraska are
running -85C. The KLNX radar is lit up with severe convection that's
headed this way. It's tied to an upper level shortwave. Upscale
growth has been observed in the western half of Nebraska. Model
guidance has been consistent in keeping the resultant MCV chugging
into the eastern part of the state after midnight tonight and
bringing a swath of damaging winds. Some gusts of 75mph+ are
possible (5% at any given point). Large hail and a QLCS type tornado
can't be ruled out (2%), but flash flooding due to heavy rain is
much more likely (15%+). Guidance does have the strongest winds
tending to fizzle out before the storms hit the Missouri River.

The warm front continues to lie along the KS/NE border and
another LLJ is ramping up and transporting plenty of moisture
over the cooler air in place. Our 00Z balloon showed 1.6" of
PWAT which is over the 90th percentile. Warm cloud depths of
4,000 meters means the rain will be efficient.

The HREF has probability of 3"+ of rain in three hours at
30-50% for all areas north of the Platte River / I-680. It's
closer to 50-80% for 1"+ of precip in 3 hours. Current FFG
suggests 2-3" in three hours would be about all soil could
handle. Thankfully, the system looks progressive enough that
there won't be much for training / repeating rounds of rain.
Still, I expect a ribbon of 3-5" rainfall reports.

.THURSDAY...

The last of the strongest storms should be out of the area by
8am although some wrap around showers could linger through mid-
morning around the SD state line.

Temps will have a wide range from north (77F) to the south (95F)
where dewpoints in the 70s will push heat indices past the 100F
mark. Should the forecast pan out, a heat advisory may be
necessary in the southern tier of counties, but confidence is
low with convective debris / outflow as possible flies in the
ointment.

A 15-20% chance of thunderstorms redevelops in the afternoon as
instability peaks near 4000 J/kg. Convection is conditional,
meaning it's most likely to never develop, but if it is able to
bust through the inhibition, a supercell is possible which
suggests wind and hail damage is possible. Again, this is less
than likely (20%).

Better chances of precip wait again until after dark for the
approach of another MCV/MCS that originates in the Front Range.
We'll also watch PoPs climb as the LLJ ramps up again. The HREF
suggest rainfall rates will be less than those of early Thursday
morning, but should another 2-3" fall on tonight's soggiest
locations, flash flooding would once again be an issue.

.FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND...

Temps on Friday and Saturday will again have a 15-20 degree
discrepancy from north (70s) to south (90s). Regular
opportunities for showers remain (40-60% Friday) and (60-70%)
for Saturday as monsoonal moisture continues to stream around
the high pressure ridge over TX. PoPs peak overnight thanks to
that nocturnal summer jet.

Saturday night brings a strong cold front through the area
leaving Sunday the coolest day of the week so far. With the sfc
high settling into the area, skies will clear from north to
south and the day should be mostly dry.

.BEYOND...

Global models tend to diverge in solutions for next week with
the Euro bringing a trof through the area, the Canadian a ridge,
and the GFS splitting the difference. Will keep regular 20% PoPs
in the forecast for next week, which isn't far from August
climatology.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1220 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Storms will move out of central Nebraska this evening, and effect
the TAF sites overnight and into early Thursday morning. A few of
the stronger storms will be capable of damaging winds and very heavy
rain fall. The best chance for severe weather to impact KOFK will be
between 08-10Z, and KOMA could see impacts between 09-12Z. A few
storms may graze KLNK between 10-13Z. Expect conditions to
deteriorate to MVFR, perhaps IFR, as storms roll through. VFR
conditions should return around 16Z Thursday, with winds remaining
out of the northeast.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Nicolaisen
AVIATION...Cage

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 13, 1:36 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXBoone39 min
Aug 13, 2:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXAntelope, Boone, Madison, Platte51 min
Aug 13, 2:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXAntelope, Boone, Colfax, Madison, Pierce, Platte and 2 more41 min
Aug 13, 3:02 AM CDTTornado WarningOAXColfax, Cuming, Dodge, Platte, Stanton28 min
Aug 13, 3:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Madison, Platte and 1 more51 min
Aug 13, 3:43 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge, Washington47 min
Aug 13, 4:21 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBurt, Cuming, Stanton, Thurston, Wayne3 hr
Aug 13, 4:32 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXColfax, Dodge118 min
Aug 13, 4:49 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXDouglas116 min
Aug 13, 5:01 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBurt, Thurston, Wayne2 hr
Aug 13, 5:25 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningOAXThurston2 hr

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.