Nebraska, 2010

Tornadoes and Hail in Nebraska, May 24, 2010

May 24, 2010 · NWS CYS · 57 events in 7 counties and zones

On May 24th a strong cold front was moving eastward through the area. During the late morning warnings were already being issued for the NE Panhandle.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$107,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
57

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CYS wrote it up.

On May 24th a strong cold front was moving eastward through the area. During the late morning warnings were already being issued for the NE Panhandle. By mid-afternoon the cold front had pushed far enough eastward to move the activity out of our area. After the dust had settled, 3 tornado warnings and 14 severe t-storm warnings had been issued. Wind gusts of over 70 mph, and hailstones of up to four inches were reported. Highway 30 from mile marker 87 to 95 was briefly closed due to downed power lines. According to the Kimball County Sheriff, the storm caused an estimated five million dollars damage to the Kimball area.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 24, 4:18 AM MST, 6 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 24, 4:18 AM MST, 6 hours 11 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
518 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

.SHORT TERM...TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...CURRENT IR SATELLITE
AND WATER VAPOR LOOP SHOWS A POTENT UPPER LEVEL TROUGH OVER UTAH
EARLY THIS MORNING...GRADUALLY EJECTING NORTHEASTWARD. THE
NEGATIVELY TILTED UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL QUICKLY PUSH ACROSS THE
AREA TODAY WITH A VERY STRONG COLD FRONT FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
NAM SOUNDINGS CONTINUE TO SHOW A RAPID 2 HOUR 30 DEGREE
TEMPERATURE DROP THIS AFTERNOON AS THE FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE
AREA...SUGGESTING A DYNAMIC STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE THROUGH THE
AREA THIS AFTERNOON. THIS WILL RESULT IN SEVERAL CONCERNS OVER
SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND WRN NEBRASKA. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF
SEVERE TSTORMS ACROSS THE PANHANDLE OF NEBRASKA AND ACROSS THE
HIGH PLAINS OF EXTREME EASTERN WYOMING NEAR THE NEBRASKA BORDER
THIS AFTERNOON WITH MODELS SHOWING STRONG DYNAMIC FORCING...MODERATE
TO HIGH SHEAR PRESENT...AND SUBSTANTIAL CAPE AND INSTABILITY. A
LOW LEVEL CAP INVERSION EARLY IN THE DAY WILL AID RAPID STRONG
TSTORM DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AS THE FRONT PUSHES ACROSS THE
AREA...WHICH WILL REMOVE THE CAP. ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN IS THE
STRONG WINDS AHEAD AND ALONG THE COLD FRONT...WITH MOS GUIDANCE
CONTINUING TO SHOW SUSTAINED WINDS OVER 40 MPH AND GUSTS UP TO 65
OR 70 MPH. EVEN MORE ALARMING...IS MAV GUIDANCE SHOWING SUSTAINED
WINDS AROUND 50 TO 55 MPH ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE PANHANDLE OF
NEBRASKA THIS AFTERNOON. THEREFORE...HAVE UPGRADED THE HIGH WIND
WATCH TO A WARNING OVER ALL AREAS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND WRN
NEBRASKA...WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PORTIONS OF CARBON COUNTY IN
WYOMING. GUIDANCE SHOWING SLIGHTLY LOWER WINDS NEAR THE RAWLINS
AREA WITH FRONTOGENESIS OCCURRING EAST OF THE AREA...SO KEPT THE
WATCH GOING IN THAT AREA FOR NOW. EXPECT WINDS TO INCREASE OUT OF
THE SOUTH INITIALLY ACROSS THE HIGH PLAINS...POSSIBLY TO HIGH WIND
CRITERIA BY LATE MORNING. WINDS WILL GRADUALLY SHIFT INTO THE
SOUTHWEST AND THEN WEST AS THE FRONT QUICKLY MOVES THROUGH THE
AREA BY THE AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...EXPECT SNOW LEVELS TO LOWER
TO VALLEY FLOORS AROUND AND WEST OF THE LARAMIE RANGE WHERE
SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE LARAMIE AND RAWLINS
AREA AS 700MB TEMPS PLUMMET TO -7C. ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO REMAIN UNDER 2 INCHES OVER THE GRASSY OR ELEVATED
SURFACES. A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LAST FEW RUNS OF THE NAM
HOWEVER...WITH THE NAM SHOWING THE COLD AIR PENETRATING INTO THE
EASTERN HIGH PLAINS OF WYOMING...WITH POSSIBLY A BRIEF BURST OF
HEAVY SNOW IN THE CHEYENNE...WHEATLAND...AND DOUGLAS AREAS AS
WELL JUST AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH. KEPT POP HIGHEST
ALONG AND NORTH OF THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER VALLEY.

BY MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...MODELS SHOW THE STRONG STORM SYSTEM
PUSHING NORTHWARD INTO MONTANA AND THE WRN DAKOTAS WITH A POSSIBLE
LATE SEASON SNOW STORM OVER THE HIGHER PLAINS AND MOUNTAINS OF
MONTANA. WINDS WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH TONIGHT...BUT STILL REMAIN
WINDY ACROSS THE HIGH PLAINS POSSIBLY THROUGH MIDNIGHT WITH A
STRONG SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENT REMAINING OVER THE AREA. A WEAK
RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL PUSH INTO THE AREA ON TUESDAY
RESULTING IN TEMPS NEAR NORMAL AND DRIER WEATHER.

.LONG TERM...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...MODELS ARE ALL SIMILAR
WITH THE PATTERN IN THE LONG TERM. LEANED TOWARDS THE ECMWF FOR
THE STRENGTH AND TIMING OF THE NEXT UPPER TROUGH MOVING INTO THE
WEST. SW FLOW WILL BE ALOFT WED THROUGH SAT...WITH UPPER TROUGH ON
THE WEST COAST AND AN UPPER RIDGE OVER THE CENTRAL U.S. WARM
CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WED AND THIS WILL LEAD TO A CHANCE OF
AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS EAST AND NORTH OF THE LARAMIE
RANGE AS THE AIRMASS BECOMES UNSTABLE. MID LEVEL MOISTURE WILL
ALSO BE PRESENT DURING THIS TIME. ON THUR...SIMILAR CONDITIONS
WILL OCCUR...HOWEVER THE LATE DAY THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE LIMITED TO
THE NORTHERN ZONES. WARMEST TEMPERATURES OF THE SEASON THUS FAR
SHOULD OCCUR ON THUR AND FRI AS A STRONG THERMAL RIDGE MOVES OVER
THE ROCKIES AND GREAT PLAINS. GREATER COVERAGE OF THUNDERSTORMS
WILL OCCUR FRI AS THE WEST COAST UPPER TROUGH MOVES INLAND WITH S
TO SW DIVERGENT UPPER FLOW ALOFT OVER THE CWA. A COLD FRONT WILL
MOVE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA ON SAT AS THE UPPER TROUGH AXIS
MOVES INTO WESTERN WY. THIS WILL TRIGGER SHOWERS AND LATE DAY
THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF THE AREA. COOLER TEMPERATURES WILL ALSO
OCCUR ACROSS THE CWA. WEST FLOW WILL OCCUR ALOFT SUN AS THE UPPER
TROUGH MOVES ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA AND WEAKENS. TEMPERATURES
WILL BEGIN TO MODERATE ON SUN. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE FROM 3 TO
5 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL ON WED...10 TO 15 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL FOR
THUR THROUGH SAT...AND 5 TO 8 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL ON SUN. &&

.AVIATION...STRONG COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE IS EXPECTED FROM WEST TO
EAST ON MONDAY WITH WINDS INCREASING SIGNIFICANTLY AND SHIFTING
INTO THE WEST BEHIND THE FRONT. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WILL PRODUCE MVFR CONDITIONS AT TIMES. VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT WITH WINDS GRADUALLY SUBSIDING.
&&

.FIRE WEATHER...A STRONG PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM WITH AN ASSOCIATED
STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE NORTH AND EAST ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.
NEBRASKA PANHANDLE PORTIONS OF THE DISTRICT WILL HAVE VERY STRONG
SOUTH WINDS AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND THE ENTIRE AREA CAN EXPECT A
PERIOD OF VERY STRONG WEST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WITH THE FRONTAL
PASSAGE MONDAY AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE
POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON ESPECIALLY EAST OF THE LARAMIE RANGE WITH
HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBLE. FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS ARE MINIMAL WITH
HIGH FUEL MOISTURES...LOW TO MODERATE FIRE DANGER...AND
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL LIKELY TODAY. WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED
BY THE MIDDLE TO LATE PART OF THE WEEK WITH MIN HUMIDITIES
TRENDING LOWER...WITH A RISK OF AFTERNOON SHOWERS AND TSTORMS BY
LATE IN THE WEEK.
&&

.HYDROLOGY...WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE UPPER NORTH PLATTE RIVER
AND THE ENCAMPMENT RIVER NEAR SARATOGA AND ENCAMPMENT WITH THE
ENCAMPMENT RIVER RISING INTO MONITORING STAGE LAST NIGHT.
HOWEVER...NO FLOODING IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE LITTLE SNAKE
RIVER IN SOUTHWEST CARBON COUNTY HAS FALLEN WELL BELOW MONITORING
STAGE TODAY AS COLDER AIR MOVES INTO THE AREA...LIMITING SNOW
MELT.
&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

WY...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 8 PM MONDAY FOR WYZ103-
     WYZ105-WYZ106-WYZ110-WYZ111-WYZ112-WYZ114-WYZ115-WYZ116-
     WYZ117-WYZ118-WYZ119.

     HIGH WIND WARNING FROM NOON MONDAY TO 8 PM MONDAY FOR WYZ101-
     WYZ102-WYZ107-WYZ108.

     HIGH WIND WATCH FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 6 PM MONDAY FOR WYZ104-
     WYZ109-WYZ113.

NE...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 9 AM MONDAY TO 8 PM MONDAY FOR NEZ002-
     NEZ003-NEZ019-NEZ020-NEZ021-NEZ054-NEZ055-NEZ095-NEZ096.

&&

SHORT TERM/FIRE WEATHER/HYDROLOGY...TJT
LONG TERM...KMD
AVIATION...WFO CYS
Hazardous weather outlook, May 24, 9:57 AM MST, 32 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
1057 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

WYZ103>106-109>118-251200-
NORTH LARAMIE RANGE-FERRIS/SEMINOE/SHIRLEY MOUNTAINS-
SHIRLEY BASIN-CENTRAL LARAMIE RANGE AND SOUTHWEST PLATTE COUNTY-
CENTRAL CARBON COUNTY-NORTH SNOWY RANGE FOOTHILLS-
SOUTHWEST CARBON COUNTY-SIERRA MADRE RANGE-
UPPER NORTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-SNOWY RANGE-LARAMIE VALLEY-
SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE-SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE FOOTHILLS-
CENTRAL LARAMIE COUNTY-
1057 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL WYOMING...
SOUTH CENTRAL WYOMING AND SOUTHEAST WYOMING.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A HIGH WIND WARNING FOR MOST OF SOUTH CENTRAL WYOMING...
SOUTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL WYOMING FROM LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH
800 PM THIS EVENING.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE QUICKLY EAST ACROSS AREAS WEST OF THE
LARAMIE RANGE LATE THIS MORNING AND EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.
SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS...A FEW STRONG WITH SMALL HAIL
AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN...MAINLY FROM THE SNOWY RANGE NORTHWARD TO
THE SHIRLEY BASIN. AS THE SNOW LEVEL DROPS TO AROUND 6500 FEET...
THE RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW SHOWERS WITH SNOW ACCUMULATIONS UP
TO AN INCH ON GRASSY SURFACES.

STRONG WEST WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH WILL OCCUR
IN THE WAKE OF THE STRONG COLD FRONT FROM LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH
EARLY THIS EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LATE DAY THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY AND
WEDNESDAY AND AGAIN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

SNOW MELT RUNOFF IS EXPECTED ALONG AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. EXPECT SIGNIFICANT
ADDITIONAL RISES ALONG MANY CREEKS AND RIVERS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. ANY PRECIPITATION THAT FALLS DURING
THIS PERIOD WILL CAUSE EVEN HIGHER RIVER RISES TO OCCUR.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TODAY AND TONIGHT. PLEASE
CALL OR SEND IN YOUR WEATHER REPORTS...INCLUDING HAIL AND WIND
REPORTS.

&&

THIS PRODUCT...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGIC...AND
CLIMATE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT...
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/CHEYENNE

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101-102-107-108-119-251200-
DAWES-BOX BUTTE-SCOTTS BLUFF-BANNER-MORRILL-KIMBALL-CHEYENNE-
NORTH SIOUX-SOUTH SIOUX-CONVERSE COUNTY LOWER ELEVATIONS-
NIOBRARA COUNTY-EAST PLATTE COUNTY-GOSHEN COUNTY-
EAST LARAMIE COUNTY-
1057 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE WESTERN NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE...SOUTHEAST WYOMING.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS MORNING
AND THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS EASTERN SIOUX...DAWES...BOX BUTTE AND
EASTERN MORRILL COUNTIES OF WESTERN NEBRASKA...AND A SLIGHT RISK
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR SOUTHEAST WYOMING EAST OF A LINE FROM
DOUGLAS TO KIMBALL. THERE IS A HIGH WIND WARNING FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST
WYOMING AND THE WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE FROM LATE THIS MORNING
THROUGH 800 PM THIS EVENING.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE QUICKLY EAST ACROSS SOUTHEAST WYOMING
AND THE WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE THIS AFTERNOON. SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS...SOME STRONG TO SEVERE WILL DEVELOP FROM LATE THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON ALONG AND EAST OF THE COLD
FRONT...MAINLY EAST OF A LINE FROM DOUGLAS TO KIMBALL.

THE PRIMARY THREATS FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE LARGE HAIL
OVER ONE INCH IN DIAMETER...DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60
MPH...AND POSSIBLY ISOLATED TORNADOES. THUNDERSTORM MOVEMENT WILL
BE TO THE NORTH AT 40 TO 50 MPH.

STRONG WEST WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH WILL OCCUR
IN THE WAKE OF THE STRONG COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY
THIS EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LATE DAY THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY AND
WEDNESDAY AND AGAIN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THIS
EVENING ACROSS EASTERN WYOMING. PLEASE CALL OR SEND IN YOUR WEATHER
REPORTS...INCLUDING HAIL AND WIND REPORTS.

&&

THIS PRODUCT...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGIC...AND
CLIMATE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT...
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/CHEYENNE

JAMSKI

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 24, 7:05 AM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
805 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

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

0645 PM     HAIL             11 E PRAIRIE CENTER     42.52N 104.00W
05/21/2010  E1.00 INCH       SIOUX              NE   STORM CHASER

&&

GRIFFITH
Local storm report, May 24, 7:20 AM MST, 3 hours 9 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
820 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

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

0530 PM     HAIL             ENE HARTVILLE           42.33N 104.72W
05/21/2010  E1.75 INCH       PLATTE             WY   PUBLIC

            BROKEN WINDSHIELDS AND OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLES

&&

GRIFFITH
Special weather statement, May 24, 8:14 AM MST, 2 hours 15 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
914 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>119-251200-
DAWES-BOX BUTTE-SCOTTS BLUFF-BANNER-MORRILL-KIMBALL-CHEYENNE-
NORTH SIOUX-SOUTH SIOUX-CONVERSE COUNTY LOWER ELEVATIONS-
NIOBRARA COUNTY-NORTH LARAMIE RANGE-
FERRIS/SEMINOE/SHIRLEY MOUNTAINS-SHIRLEY BASIN-
CENTRAL LARAMIE RANGE AND SOUTHWEST PLATTE COUNTY-
EAST PLATTE COUNTY-GOSHEN COUNTY-CENTRAL CARBON COUNTY-
NORTH SNOWY RANGE FOOTHILLS-SOUTHWEST CARBON COUNTY-
SIERRA MADRE RANGE-UPPER NORTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-SNOWY RANGE-
LARAMIE VALLEY-SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE-SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE FOOTHILLS-
CENTRAL LARAMIE COUNTY-EAST LARAMIE COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHADRON...ALLIANCE...SCOTTSBLUFF...
GERING...HARRISBURG...BRIDGEPORT...BAYARD...KIMBALL...SIDNEY...
HARRISON...AGATE...DOUGLAS...GLENROCK...LUSK...MUDDY GAP...
MEDICINE BOW...BORDEAUX...GLENDO...WHEATLAND...CHUGWATER...
GUERNSEY...TORRINGTON...RAWLINS...SINCLAIR...HANNA...ARLINGTON...
ELK MOUNTAIN...BAGGS...DIXON...SARATOGA...ENCAMPMENT...
RIVERSIDE...CENTENNIAL...ALBANY...WOODS LANDING...LARAMIE...
VEDAUWOO...BUFORD...PUMPKIN VINE...HORSE CREEK...HARRIMAN...
WHITAKER...CHEYENNE...BURNS...CARPENTER...ALBIN...PINE BLUFFS
914 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

...FREEZING TEMPERATURES TONIGHT ACROSS SOME LOCATIONS OVER
SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND WESTERN NEBRASKA...

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP EAST ACROSS SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND
WESTERN NEBRASKA TODAY...USHERING IN COLDER TEMPERATURES FOR
TONIGHT.

AFTER WINDS DIMINISH LATER THIS EVENING AND
OVERNIGHT...LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT WILL FALL INTO THE MID 20S
TO LOWER 30S ALONG AND WEST OF A DOUGLAS TO CHEYENNE LINE
PRODUCING FREEZING TEMPERATURES.

LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT ACROSS WESTERN NEBRASKA AND FAR EASTERN
WYOMING WILL BE IN THE 30S WITH A FEW LOCATIONS IN THE NORTH PLATTE
RIVER VALLEY FALLING INTO THE LOWER 30S WITH SOME LIGHT FROST
EXPECTED.

PEOPLE ACROSS SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND WESTERN NEBRASKA...ESPECIALLY
ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 25 IN WYOMING WEST OF A LINE FROM
DOUGLAS TO CHEYENNE MAY WANT TO PROTECT OUTDOOR PLANTS...FLOWERS
AND VEGETATION FROM THE FREEZING TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TONIGHT
AND EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

LOW TEMPERATURES TUESDAY NIGHT WILL NOT BE QUITE AS COLD.

RUBIN
Special weather statement, May 24, 10:04 AM MST, 25 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
1104 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

NEZ020-054-241800-
BANNER NE-KIMBALL NE-
1104 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL KIMBALL AND SOUTHERN
BANNER COUNTIES UNTIL NOON MDT...

AT 1101 AM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KIMBALL AIRPORT...OR 8
MILES SOUTH OF KIMBALL...MOVING NORTH AT 40 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
KIMBALL AROUND 1110 AM MDT.
BENNETT RESERVOIR AROUND 1115 AM MDT.
BIGHORN MOUNTAIN AROUND 1140 AM MDT.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 IN NEBRASKA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 16 AND
29.

IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A
STURDY BUILDING.

IN ADDITION...THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR
LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

RUBIN
Special weather statement, May 24, 10:24 AM MST, 5 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
1124 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

WYZ108-241800-
GOSHEN COUNTY WY-
1124 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2010

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN GOSHEN COUNTY UNTIL NOON
MDT...

AT 1119 AM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR HAWK SPRINGS RECREATION AREA...OR 24 MILES
SOUTH OF TORRINGTON...MOVING NORTH AT 50 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF NICKELS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN.

THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
PACKER LAKE AROUND 1130 AM MDT.
TORRINGTON AROUND 1140 AM MDT.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY....AND A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS
AREA. BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS
LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS....FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

JAMSKI

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 hail, 13 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Kimball

When
May 24, 10:29 AM MST to 10:33 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, Kimball
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.230, -103.670

Hail ranged from golf ball to tennis ball size.

Tornado, Kimball

When
May 24, 10:34 AM MST to 10:44 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, Kimball
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.230, -103.670

Estimated time, duration, path length and width due to no storm survey being performed.

Hail, Kimball

When
May 24, 10:34 AM MST to 10:37 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, Kimball
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Storm Chaser
Coordinates
41.230, -103.670

Restaurant windows broken. Report relayed from VORTEX Team.

Hail, Kimball

When
May 24, 10:34 AM MST to 10:37 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, Kimball
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.230, -103.670

Many windows on south side of homes broken.

Hail, Kimball

When
May 24, 10:34 AM MST to 10:37 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, 3 mi SSE of Kimball
Measured
2.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.190, -103.648

Golf ball to baseball size hail along interstate 80, many trucks and cars damaged.

Hail, Dawes

When
May 24, 10:35 AM MST to 10:40 AM MST
Where
Dawes County, Ft Robinson
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.670, -103.450

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:49 AM MST to 10:52 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Gering
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.820, -103.670

Heavy rain also occurred.

Hail, Sioux

When
May 24, 10:49 AM MST to 10:52 AM MST
Where
Sioux County, 10 mi NNE of Harrison
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.814, -103.795

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:50 AM MST to 10:55 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Gering
Measured
2.75 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.820, -103.670

Golf ball to baseball size hail on south side of town.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:54 AM MST to 10:57 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Gering
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.820, -103.670

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:54 AM MST to 10:57 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 3 mi NW of Morrill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.001, -103.971

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:55 AM MST to 10:58 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.870, -103.650

Hail started out at 1.5 inches in diameter, then grew to golf ball size.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:55 AM MST to 11:00 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.870, -103.650

Golfball size hail fell at the YMCA.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:57 AM MST to 11:27 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 2 mi WNW of Scottsbluff
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.881, -103.686

Time of report was 1057MST.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 10:58 AM MST to 11:03 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.870, -103.650

Time of report was 1058MST.

Hail, Sioux

When
May 24, 10:59 AM MST to 11:02 AM MST
Where
Sioux County, 17 mi E of Harrison
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.680, -103.535

Time of report was 1100MST.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:00 AM MST to 11:03 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff Arpt
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.880, -103.600

Time of report was 1100MST.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:00 AM MST to 11:03 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff
Measured
3 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.870, -103.650

Time of report was 1100MST.

Tornado, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:11 AM MST to 11:30 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 6.21 mi NE of (Bff)helig Field
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.25 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.940, -103.510

Time of report was 1112MST. No damage was reported. Duration,path width and length estimated due to no survey being preformed.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:13 AM MST to 11:15 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 2 mi SE of Scottsbluff
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.849, -103.623

Time of report was 1114MST.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:15 AM MST to 11:20 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Scottsbluff
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.870, -103.650

Time of report was 1116MST. Tree knocked down on east side of Scottsbluff.

Tornado, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:16 AM MST to 11:36 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, Gering
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.25 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.820, -103.670

Time of report was 1116MST. Estimated duration, path width and length due to no survey being performed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:19 AM MST to 11:25 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 1 mi E of Minatare
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.800, -103.481

At 1120MST a power pole was reported down along Highway 26.

Hail, Sioux

When
May 24, 11:19 AM MST to 11:22 AM MST
Where
Sioux County, Agate
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.420, -103.780

At 1120MST hail was reported just south of Agate along Highway 29.

Hail, Kimball

When
May 24, 11:28 AM MST to 11:29 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, 2 mi N of Kimball
Measured
4.25 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.259, -103.670

Time of report was 1129MST.

Tornado, Kimball

When
May 24, 11:38 AM MST to 11:45 AM MST
Where
Kimball County, 8 mi WNW of Kimball
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.25 mi
Path width
100 yd
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
41.274, -103.812

At 1138MST Kimball County Sheriff reported a tornado on the ground. Tornado lasted for three to five minutes. It moved across the conservation reserve project and produced no damage. Estimated path length and width of tornado.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:44 AM MST to 11:47 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 2 mi NNE of Scottsbluff
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.897, -103.635

Time of report was 1145MST. Estimated time and location of report.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When
May 24, 11:59 AM MST to 12:02 PM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff County, 5 mi N of Scottsbluff
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.942, -103.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When
May 24, 12:17 PM MST to 12:19 PM MST
Where
Cheyenne County, Sidney
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.150, -102.980

Windows were blown out of a house in Sidney around 1200MST.

Hail, Cheyenne

When
May 24, 12:21 PM MST to 12:24 PM MST
Where
Cheyenne County, 6 mi SW of Dalton
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.359, -103.062

Damage to the courthouse caused the building to be closed due to the large number of windows shattered after the storm.

Hail, Sioux

When
May 24, 12:23 PM MST to 12:26 PM MST
Where
Sioux County, 6.54 mi NNE of Glen
Measured
2.75 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.690, -103.530

Golfball to baseball size hail along HWY 20.

Hail, Sioux

When
May 24, 12:29 PM MST to 12:32 PM MST
Where
Sioux County, 17 mi E of Harrison
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.680, -103.535

Hail, Dawes

When
May 24, 12:41 PM MST to 12:44 PM MST
Where
Dawes County, Crawford
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.680, -103.400

Heavy Rain, Morrill

When
May 24, 12:41 PM MST to 12:44 PM MST
Where
Morrill County, Bridgeport
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.670, -103.100

In less than 5 minutes 0.75 inches of rain fell. Had half inch hail with rain.

Hail, Dawes

When
May 24, 12:44 PM MST to 12:50 PM MST
Where
Dawes County, Crawford
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.680, -103.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrill

When
May 24, 12:49 PM MST to 12:50 PM MST
Where
Morrill County, 4 mi SE of Bridgeport
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
41.629, -103.045

A 5 inch diameter tree blown over.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 12:59 PM MST to 1:02 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 2 mi S of Alliance
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.071, -102.880

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 12:59 PM MST to 1:02 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 3 mi S of Berea
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.177, -102.980

Hail up to 2 inches deep.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 12:59 PM MST to 1:02 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 5 mi W of Alliance
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.100, -102.978

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 12:59 PM MST to 1:02 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 2 mi S of Alliance
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.071, -102.880

Shingles blown off of house and 6 to 8 inch tree limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrill

When
May 24, 1:09 PM MST to 1:11 PM MST
Where
Morrill County, 11.79 mi N of Broadwater
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.770, -102.870

In a very short time period had 60-70 mph gusts and 0.70 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:11 PM MST to 1:13 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 5 mi W of Alliance
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.100, -102.978

Also had 0.5 inch hail.

Tornado, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:11 PM MST to 1:30 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 10 mi NW of Alliance
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.25 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
42.202, -103.018

Tornado reported by public and relayed by KCOW radio. Estimated duration, path length and width due to no storm survey being performed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:11 PM MST to 2:11 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 6 mi N of Alliance
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.187, -102.880

Farm received strong to severe winds for an hour causing structural damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:28 PM MST to 1:30 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, Alliance
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.100, -102.880

Power poles down in western part of town. General Manager of PREMA said the storm took out roughly 40 electrical poles around the area. The downed poles caused roughly 1,000 PREMA electrical services to be stopped across the county.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:28 PM MST to 1:33 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, Alliance
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.100, -102.880

Report came from just north of town.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:28 PM MST to 1:32 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 6.94 mi NNE of Alliance
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.190, -102.820

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:29 PM MST to 1:33 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 9 mi WSW of Alliance
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.050, -103.042

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:29 PM MST to 1:31 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 9 mi WSW of Alliance
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.050, -103.042

Tin blown off roof of garage.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:29 PM MST to 1:33 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 3 mi ESE of Berea
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.203, -102.926

Had two different rounds of hail 10 minutes apart.

Thunderstorm Wind, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:29 PM MST to 1:33 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, Alliance
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.100, -102.880

A 100 year old cottonwood tree fell in Central Park.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:39 PM MST to 1:43 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, Alliance
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.100, -102.880

Estimated 70 MPH winds also occurred at time of report.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:39 PM MST to 1:43 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, Alliance
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.100, -102.880

Estimated 70 MPH winds also occurred. Many trees and power poles down across town. Hotel sign blown down. Torrential rain also occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dawes

When
May 24, 1:50 PM MST to 1:52 PM MST
Where
Dawes County, 13 mi S of Chadron
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.642, -103.000

Pea size hail also occurred at time of report.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dawes

When
May 24, 1:56 PM MST to 1:58 PM MST
Where
Dawes County, 10 mi S of Chadron
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.685, -103.000

Deputy sheriff reported small hail, heavy rain, zero visibility.

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:59 PM MST to 2:01 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 8.19 mi E of Berea
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.220, -102.820

Hail, Box Butte

When
May 24, 1:59 PM MST to 2:02 PM MST
Where
Box Butte County, 6.59 mi NNE of Berea
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$700
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.300, -102.910

Four to six inch diameter limbs down.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nebraska in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Nebraska, 2010Warnings in Nebraska, May 2010

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 226519, 226520, 226521, 226522, 226523, 226524, 226525, 226527, 226526, 226529, 226530, 226531, 230910, 224593, 224596, 224599, 224597, 224598, 224602, 224604, 224606, 224605, 224609, 224693, 224694, 224695, 224696, 225720, 225722, 225723, 225726, 225727, 225729, 225731, 225733, 225735, 225737, 225738, 225739, 225740, and more.