High Wind in Nebraska, October 17 to 18, 2012

Name: High Wind in Nebraska, October 17 to 18, 2012
Start: 2012-10-17T11:00
End: 2012-10-18T18:00
Location: Nebraska

October 17 to 18, 2012 · NWS LBF · 27 events in 27 counties and zones

An intense upper level system and deep surface low pressure tracked across the region October 17th and 18th. Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 50 mph with gusts exceeding 65 mph occurred.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 27 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 27

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 LBF wrote it up.

An intense upper level system and deep surface low pressure tracked across the region October 17th and 18th. Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 50 mph with gusts exceeding 65 mph occurred.

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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 17, 5:33 AM CST, 5 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 17, 5:33 AM CST, 5 hours 27 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
633 AM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

.AVIATION...

FOR 12Z TAFS...VFR CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT.

A CURRENT LULL IN WIND SPEEDS AT KLBF AND KVTN. LOOKING AT
UPSTREAM WINDS IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA...WINDS WILL INCREASE SOON
AND SIGNIFICANTLY AT KVTN (BETWEEN 12Z-14Z) TO 30027G40KT. OTHERWISE
VERY WINDY CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE
AREA...AFTER 14Z. WINDS INCREASE TO 31034G45KT AFTER 17Z AND
SHOULD DECREASE TO 30020G35KT AFTER SUNSET THIS EVENING.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 359 AM CDT WED OCT 17 2012/

SYNOPSIS...
COLD FRONT HAS PUSHED THROUGH THE CWA WITH ALL SITES REPORTING NW
WINDS...SOME GUSTING IN THE 30 TO 40 KT RANGE. MOST OF THE RADAR
RETURNS ARE ABOUT TO EXIT THE CWA...HOWEVER STILL HAVE SOME
RETURNS OVER PORTIONS OF THE PANHANDLE...ALTHOUGH MOST AREAS HAVE
SEEN LITTLE IN THE WAY OF MEASURABLE PRECIP.

DISCUSSION...
..WIND AND FIRE HEADLINES TODAY AND TOMORROW...
TIGHT PRESSURE GRADIENT DEVELOPING ACROSS THE AREA AS A SURFACE LOW
PRESSURE SLIDES INTO THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES AREA...THEN ROTATES
W/SW AROUND 500 MB LOW. MEANWHILE HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS OVER THE
ROCKIES...WITH MODELS IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE STRONG WINDS
DEVELOPING. 850 MB WINDS INCREASE TO 40 TO 45 KTS THIS AFTERNOON
AND AS WE SEE DECREASING CLOUDS...SHOULD BE ABLE TO MIX FAIRLY
WELL. A WIND ADV IN EFFECT ALREADY AND WILL NEED TO CLOSELY
MONITOR FOR HIGH WIND WARNING. MEANWHILE SOME VERY DRY AIR WILL
BUILD IN BEHIND THE FRONT. WHILE TEMPS SOME 10 TO 15 DEGREES
COOLER THAN YESTERDAY...THE LOWER DEW PTS WILL STILL AID IN
DROPPING RH VALUES TO NEAR CRITICAL CONDITIONS. SEE FIRE WX
DISCUSSION FOR MORE.

TOMORROW AS THE LOW WRAPS W/SW THE TIGHT PRESSURE GRADIENT
STRENGTHENS...WITH AREAS OF NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA LOOKING TO
POSSIBLY REACH HIGH WIND CRITERIA...AND WILL KEEP THE HIGH WIND
WATCH IN EFFECT. MODELS HAVE INCREASED WINDS FOR WESTERN NEB AS
WELL...HOWEVER WITH THE WIND ADVISORY ALREADY IN EFFECT WILL NOT
CHANGE HEADLINES YET. DAY SHIFT WILL NEED TO REEVALUATE THE
POTENTIAL FOR HIGH WINDS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CWA. ALSO A CONCERN FOR
TOMORROW/TOMORROW NIGHT WILL BE SOME WRAP AROUND MOISTURE AND
POSSIBLY LIGHT SHOWERS CLIPPING FAR NE ZONES. LOW POPS INCLUDED
IN FORECAST FOR NOW...WHICH MAY TURN OUT TO BE MORE SPRINKLES AS
DRY BL WILL BE DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME.

FRIDAY AND INTO THE WEEKEND THE LOW WILL PUSH TO THE EAST WITH
HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING AND WINDS DIMINISHING. TEMPS QUICKLY
WARM BACK INTO THE 60S AND 70S ALONG WITH CONTINUED DRY
CONDITIONS. WEAK COLD FRONT SHOULD TRACK ACROSS THE AREA ON SUNDAY
WITH TEMPS IN THE LOWER 60S BEHIND THE FRONT AND NEAR 70 AHEAD.
ALSO TO SEE A TRANSITION TO MORE SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW ALOFT BY
SUNDAY. SOME PAC MOISTURE SHOULD TRACK ACROSS THE
ROCKIES...HOWEVER WILL HAVE A DRY LOWER LEVEL TO OVERCOME FOR
FRONT TO PRODUCE SOME PRECIP. FORECAST IS GENERALLY DRY EXCEPT FOR
FAR NW SHERIDAN WHERE HIGHER TERRAIN AND EXPECTED PLUM OF MOISTURE
TO BE THE STRONGEST.

NEXT WEEK WILL CONTINUE TO SEE GENERALLY DRY CONDITIONS WITH NO
MAJOR SYSTEMS ACROSS THE HIGH PLAINS AND WILL SEE TEMPS NEAR
CLIMO...HIGHS IN THE 60S AND LOWS IN THE 30S.

FIRE WEATHER... A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING FOR ALL OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL
NEBRASKA. VERY STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS
TO AROUND 50 MPH AND VERY DRY FUELS WILL EXIST. EVEN WITH ONLY
MARGINAL MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES OF 15 TO 20
PERCENT...EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH IS FAVORABLE.

SIMILAR HIGHS IN THE 50S ON THURSDAY...COMBINED WITH VERY STRONG
NORTHWEST WINDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH...WILL
COMBINE WITH NEAR CRITICAL MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES IN THE
AFTERNOON. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL FIRE ZONES EXCEPT
209. IN ZONES 209 AND THE EASTERN HALF OF ZONE 208...WRAPAROUND
CLOUDINESS WITH HIGHER DEWPOINTS AND RELATIVE HUMIDITIES OF 25 TO 40
PERCENT WILL EXIST. THIS IS A DIFFERENT STORY FOR ZONES 204...210
AND 219 WHERE MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES NEAR 15 PERCENT WILL
EXIST.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...RED FLAG WARNING FROM NOON CDT
/11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO 7 PM CDT /6PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR
NEZ204-206-208>210-219.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
EVENING FOR NEZ204-206-208-210-219.

WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ THURSDAY FOR NEZ004-022-
023-035-056>059-069>071.

WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 AM CDT /6 AM MDT/ THURSDAY FOR NEZ005>010-
024>029-036>038-094.

HIGH WIND WATCH FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING
FOR NEZ005>010-024>029-036>038-094.

&&

SHORT TERM/EXTENDED...NWS
AVIATION...ROBERG

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 17, 10:17 AM CST, 43 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
1117 AM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-181630-
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-
1117 AM CDT WED OCT 17 2012 /1017 AM MDT WED OCT 17 2012/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND
NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA TODAY.
SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH ARE
EXPECTED. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS
AFTERNOON FOR LOCATIONS ALONG AND NORTH OF A CODY TO AINSWORTH TO
NEWPORT LINE. ALL MOTORISTS NEED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN
TRAVELING ON AREA ROADWAYS.

THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY NORTHWEST WIND AND EXTREMELY DRY AIR
WILL PROMOTE RAPID FIRE SPREAD AND EXTREME BEHAVIOR ACROSS ALL OF
WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TODAY AND TONIGHT. ANY FIRE
START WILL BURN OUT OF CONTROL AND BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IF NOT
IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

ON THURSDAY...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL AGAIN AFFECT THE ENTIRE
OUTLOOK AREA. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55
MPH ARE LIKELY. THE STRONGEST WINDS...WITH GUST NEARING OR
SLIGHTLY EXCEEDING 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE NORTH AND EAST OF A
STOCKVILLE TO BIG SPRINGS TO MERRIMAN LINE...INCLUDING THE
INTERSTATE 80 AND HIGHWAY 83 CORRIDORS.  ALL MOTORISTS NEED TO
EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING ON AREA ROADWAYS.

STRONG WINDS AND VERY DRY AIR WILL PROMOTE CRITICAL FIRE DANGER
THURSDAY. ANY FIRE START WILL BURN OUT OF CONTROL AND BE
EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT.

&&

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW AVAILABLE...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...
HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL INFORMATION...AT
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/NORTHPLATTE

JACOBS

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Keya Paha

When: October 17, 11:00 AM CST to October 18, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Keya Paha forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.879, -99.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Valentine ASOS recorded wind gusts to around 60 mph during the late morning to early afternoon hours on October 17th. These very strong winds returned during the early morning hours on October 18th and persisted through the morning and afternoon hours. Sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph occurred through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Keya Paha County.

High Wind, Brown

When: October 17, 11:00 AM CST to October 18, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.430, -99.929 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ainsworth AWOS recorded sustained wind gusts to around 60 mph during the late morning hours on October 17th. These very strong winds returned during the early morning hours on October 18th and persisted through the morning and afternoon hours. Sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph occurred through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Brown County.

High Wind, Eastern Cherry

When: October 17, 11:00 AM CST to October 18, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Eastern Cherry forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.545, -101.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Valentine ASOS recorded wind gusts to around 60 mph during the late morning to early afternoon hours on October 17th. These very strong winds returned during the early morning hours on October 18th and persisted through the morning and afternoon hours. Sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph occurred through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Eastern Cherry County.

High Wind, Garfield

When: October 18, 6:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Garfield forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.914, -98.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Ord ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Garfield County.

High Wind, Wheeler

When: October 18, 6:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Wheeler forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.915, -98.528 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Ord ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Wheeler County.

High Wind, Holt

When: October 18, 6:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Holt forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.456, -98.784 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

O'Neill AWOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Holt County.

High Wind, Boyd

When: October 18, 6:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Boyd forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.900, -98.766 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby O'Neill AWOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Boyd County.

High Wind, Rock

When: October 18, 6:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Rock forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.421, -99.450 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Ainsworth AWOS recorded sustained winds around 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph during the morning through late afternoon hours. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Rock County.

High Wind, Thomas

When: October 18, 8:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Thomas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.914, -100.556 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thedford AWOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Thomas County.

High Wind, Arthur

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Arthur forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.569, -101.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Ogallala AWOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Arthur County.

High Wind, Grant

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.915, -101.740 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Thedford AWOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Grant County.

High Wind, Hooker

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Hooker forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.916, -101.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Thedford AWOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Hooker County.

High Wind, Blaine

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Blaine forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.913, -99.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Thedford AWOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Blaine County.

High Wind, Loup

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Loup forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.914, -99.454 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Broken Bow ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 65 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Loup County.

High Wind, Sheridan

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.505, -102.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Alliance ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with peak gusts to around 65 mph during the morning through early afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Sheridan County.

High Wind, Garden

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Garden forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.619, -102.335 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Alliance ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with peak gusts to around 65 mph during the morning through early afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Garden County.

High Wind, Deuel

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Deuel forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.112, -102.334 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Sidney ASOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with peak gusts to around 65 mph during the morning through early afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Deuel County.

High Wind, Western Cherry

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Western Cherry forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.545, -101.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Valentine ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph during the morning through late afternoon hours. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Western Cherry County.

High Wind, Keith

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Keith forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.199, -101.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ogallala AWOS recorded sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Keith County.

High Wind, Perkins

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Perkins forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.851, -101.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Ogallala AWOS and Imperial ASOS each recorded sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Perkins County.

High Wind, Chase

When: October 18, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Chase forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.524, -101.698 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Imperial ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Chase County.

High Wind, Hayes

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hayes forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.525, -101.062 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby Imperial ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Hayes County.

High Wind, Frontier

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Frontier forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.530, -100.394 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby McCook ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Frontier County.

High Wind, Lincoln

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.048, -100.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

North Platte ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Lincoln County.

High Wind, Logan

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.567, -100.483 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nearby North Platte ASOS and Thedford AWOS each recorded sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph from mid morning through late afternoon. Winds of this magnitude were estimated across Logan County.

High Wind, McPherson

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: McPherson forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.568, -101.060 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Custer

When: October 18, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Custer forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.394, -99.726 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Broken Bow ASOS recorded frequent sustained winds around 50 mph with gusts of 65 to 70 mph from mid morning through mid afternoon. Winds of this magnitude occurred across Custer County.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, October 2012

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: 411555, 411556, 412136, 411551, 411552, 411553, 411554, 411557, 411548, 411545, 411546, 411547, 411549, 411550, 412137, 412138, 412139, 412140, 412141, 412142, 412143, 412144, 412145, 412146, 412147, 412148, 412149.