On December 25th, a strong storm system brought a line of showers and thunderstorms during the morning and early afternoon to portions of western and north central Nebraska, followed by widespread high winds during the late afternoon and evening hours. The high winds were frequently sustained at 40 mph with wind gust to around 60 mph in some areas.
Every event with a place to put it; 17 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LBF wrote it up.
On December 25th, a strong storm system brought a line of showers and thunderstorms during the morning and early afternoon to portions of western and north central Nebraska, followed by widespread high winds during the late afternoon and evening hours. The high winds were frequently sustained at 40 mph with wind gust to around 60 mph in some areas.
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 Dec 25, 12:30 PM MST, 2 hours earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service North Platte NE 130 PM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 325 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 A highly amplified H500 pattern was noted across the western CONUS tonight with an H500 low present over southern UT per the latest WV imagery. This feature was lifting east into a highly amplified ridge which extended from the Ozarks, north northwest into the Dakotas and southern Saskatchewan. Closer to the surface, a broad area of low pressure extended from SE Wyoming, south into southeastern Colorado. A tightening pressure gradient east of this area of low pressure, has led to increasing southerly and southeasterly winds overnight. In addition to strong warm air advection just off the surface, boundary layer moisture has increased overnight as well and has led to fog formation across a large portion of the southern and central Plains tonight. As of 3 AM CST, fog has pushed west to include almost all of western and north central Nebraska. Visibilities were in the 1 to 3 mile range with some local spots down to a half a mile or less. Temperatures where the fog had pushed in were right around the freezing mark with middle 30s beginning to be advected into the southeastern forecast area. && .UPDATE... Issued at 129 PM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 Winds near Goodland are reaching high wind criteria at 109 pm CST with a gust to 59 mph. Springfield Colo gusted to 71 mph. The ESRL HRRR shows these winds reaching Frontier County so that county has been added to the High Wind Warning. UPDATE Issued at 940 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 A check on the RAP model in bufkit supports the HRRR/ESRL HRRR forecast wind gusts to 60 mph. The ESRL HRRR actually shows gusts to 75 mph across Swrn Neb this afternoon with gusts to 65 and 70 mph developing elsewhere. It is believed the high winds will not affect Frontier...Wheeler and Garfield Counties. A PV1.5 anomaly will move across SD tonight prolonging the wind event across Ncntl Neb. The NAM and RAP are mixing 55-75kt winds at 850-800mb down to the ground. A high wind warning has been issued for parts of Western and North Central Nebraska this afternoon and tonight. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 325 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 Today and tonight: For today, precipitation chances and precipitation types are the main forecast challenges. Snow chances and wind potential are the main forecast challenges this afternoon into tonight. For today: Over the past couple of nights, the NAM12 solution was real concerning with its forecast of freezing drizzle and freezing rain over the northern forecast area this morning. Looking at the NAM12 Bufkit soundings from earlier this evening, surface temperatures as depicted in the model are 3 to 5 degrees too cool as we should have been in the mid to upper 20s in the north right now. The reality is, we are pushing the freezing mark in most locations with above freezing air beginning to push north of the interstate as of 3 am CST. Translated, our window for freezing precipitation has become much tighter tonight, and the thought is attm that the main threat for any freezing drizzle should end by 12z this morning. The only place where there could be an issue with freezing drizzle is over the northeastern panhandle where temperatures are in the single digits at Pine Ridge. This area is currently in a winter storm warning. For this morning: The H5 low will track across northern Colorado, emerging onto the plains of southeastern Wyoming by 18z. Surface low pressure will deepen over northeastern Colorado by mid morning, lifting into the panhandle by midday. As the H5 trough pushes into eastern Colorado this morning, mid level lift will increase across western Kansas into western Nebraska. Showers are expected to develop this morning and lift rapidly north into southwestern and western Nebraska. Meager instability exists from southwestern into central Nebraska this morning, so cannot rule out a thunderstorm or two and this was retained in the forecast. As for the severe threat, it appears fairly minimal this morning, however some gusty winds are possible as any showers and storms will propagate quickly north given the strong H700 winds. By this afternoon, the surface low will track quickly across the panhandle into southwestern South Dakota forcing a cold front east across the forecast area. As this feature pushes into 40s to 50s dew points in central and eastern Nebraska, a line of thunderstorms is expected to develop and follow the front as it quickly propagates east. Further west across western and north central Nebraska, a decent increase in wind speeds will accompany passage of the front given the degree of cold air advection. This advection remains strongest across the sandhills into northern Nebraska and this is where the strongest winds are forecast for this afternoon into the evening. Leaned more on the GFS solution for winds today and tonight, as the surface low in the NAM12 solution seemed not deep enough compared to the GFS and ECMWF and HRRR solutions. That being said, gust potential across the sandhills and north central Nebraska is in the 45 to 55 MPH range, not enough for a high wind warning, but enough to include it in a special weather statement to be issued at forecast issuance time. Finally, there is the threat of snowfall in the northwest as the H500 low lifts into the Dakotas. Snow accumulations in the forecast have trended downward over the past 24 hours, as the surface low and h5 low have trended farther west. That being said, the heaviest accumulations appear to be over western South Dakota into the northwestern Nebraska Panhandle. Still though, cannot rule out an inch or two of snow in the northeastern panhandle and northwestern Cherry county later this afternoon into the evening hours. Higher accumulations still remain possible over the Pine Ridge where they may approach 3 to 4 inches. With strong confidence in gust potential of 45 to 55 MPH over these areas, feel a continuation of the winter storm warning is justified here given the blowing snow threat, even though snow accumulations will probably not reach warning criteria. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 325 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 The strong storm system will be moving northeast through northern Minnesota away from the area Monday. Still expecting northwest winds to continue through the day as a band of strong winds at H850mb near 50kt will linger from northwest South Dakota to north central Nebraska. Bufkit sounding data indicates a well mixed boundary layer, and expect sustained winds in the 25mph range with gusts approaching 40mph especially across north central Nebraska. For the remainder of the work week, west to northwest flow aloft will dominate. Expect mild conditions with a Pacific airmass in place. As we head into next weekend, another trough is expected to dig south along the west coast and then turn eastward toward the central plains. At this time a big storm is not expected, but some sort of light precipitation will not be out of the question. It will also turn somewhat colder as some modified arctic air moves south into the region. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) Issued at 1206 PM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 Showers and thunderstorms currently moving across the forecast area will briefly impact both TAF sites early this afternoon. As showers move east of the area by late afternoon, northwest winds will increase. Expect wind gusts to reach between 40 and 45 knots at both KVTN and KLBF. Gusty winds stick around through Sunday night and eventually diminish after 12Z Monday. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ Monday for NEZ005>010-022>027-035>038-056>059-069>071. Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ Monday for NEZ004- 094. && UPDATE...CDC SYNOPSIS...Buttler SHORT TERM...Buttler LONG TERM...Taylor AVIATION...Kulik
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE 940 AM CST SUN DEC 25 2016 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-261545- 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- 940 AM CST SUN DEC 25 2016 /840 AM MST SUN DEC 25 2016/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. AREAS OF FOG WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MID TO LATE MORNING ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA WITH VISIBILITIES DOWN TO A HALF A MILE. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TODAY ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA...MAINLY EAST OF A LINE FROM BIG SPRINGS TO VALENTINE. AT THIS TIME...THE THREAT FOR SEVERE STORMS IS LOW. A POWERFUL COLD FRONT WILL LIFT ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA THIS AFTERNOON. WESTERLY WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH ARE LIKELY BEHIND THE FRONT. A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT FOR PARTS OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA. SNOW IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE AND THE NORTHWESTERN SANDHILLS THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS IN THE PINE RIDGE...ARE LIKELY OVER SHERIDAN AND NORTHWESTERN CHERRY COUNTY. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...STRONG WINDS WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT. && GET YOUR WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL...AND CLIMATE INFORMATION AT HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/NORTHPLATTE (ALL LOWERCASE)
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...UPDATED National Weather Service NORTH PLATTE NE 1051 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 NEZ028-029-071-260700- Garfield-Wheeler-Frontier- Including the cities of...Burwell...Bartlett...Ericson...Curtis... Eustis...Maywood 1051 AM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 ...STRONG WINDS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS... A POWERFUL COLD FRONT WILL TRACK ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG WESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP BEHIND THIS FEATURE. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED BEHIND THE FRONT. PERSONS PLANING TRAVEL THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS...SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR STRONG CROSS WINDS...ESPECIALLY ON NORTH TO SOUTH ROUTES.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1247 PM CST SUN DEC 25 2016
NEZ009-010-027-028-038-251930-
Holt NE-Garfield NE-Loup NE-Rock NE-Custer NE-
1247 PM CST SUN DEC 25 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CUSTER...WESTERN
GARFIELD...SOUTHWESTERN HOLT...EASTERN LOUP AND SOUTHEASTERN ROCK
COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM CST...
At 1246 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Sargent, or 8 miles southwest of Burwell, moving north
at 100 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Burwell, Mason City, Comstock, Amelia, Calamus Reservoir State
Recreation Area, Nunda Shoal Campground, Homestead Knolls Campground,
Carson Lake, Kent Diversion Dam State Wildlife Management Area, Gavin
Siding, Virginia Smith Dam, Deverre, Big Oak Canyon, Valley View Flat
Campground, Wescott and Arcadia Diversion Dam State Wildlife
Management Area.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 2 between mile markers 302 and 307.
Highway 92 between mile markers 304 and 308.
LAT...LON 4174 9903 4174 9921 4115 9921 4112 9930
4232 9931 4231 9888
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 179DEG 89KT 4168 9924
CDCSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...UPDATED National Weather Service NORTH PLATTE NE 129 PM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 NEZ028-029-260930- Garfield-Wheeler- Including the cities of...Burwell...Bartlett...Ericson 129 PM CST Sun Dec 25 2016 ..STRONG WINDS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS... A POWERFUL COLD FRONT WILL TRACK ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG WESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP BEHIND THIS FEATURE. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED BEHIND THE FRONT. PERSONS PLANING TRAVEL THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING HOURS...SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR STRONG CROSS WINDS...ESPECIALLY ON NORTH TO SOUTH ROUTES.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
17 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Ogallala AWOS recorded sustained winds of 47 mph with a peak gust of 61 mph. Westerly winds of 40 mph or greater with gusts to around 60 mph were common during the mid to late afternoon hours across Keith County.
Nearby McCook ASOS recorded a maximum wind gust of 60 mph. Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater were common during the late afternoon to early evening hours. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph were common across Frontier County.
Nearby McCook ASOS recorded a maximum wind gust of 60 mph. Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater were common during the late afternoon to early evening hours. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph were common across Hayes County.
Nearby Sidney ASOS recorded sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 55 mph during the mid to late afternoon hours. Westerly winds of this magnitude were common across Deuel County.
A mesonet site near Sutherland recorded sustained winds of 43 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 55 mph were common across Lincoln County.
Broken Bow ASOS recorded sustained winds of 44 mph. A Cooperative Observer southwest of Callaway recorded a wind gust of 66 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Custer County.
Nearby Broken Bow ASOS recorded sustained winds of 44 mph. A Cooperative Observer southwest of Callaway recorded a wind gust of 66 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Logan County.
A mesonet site near Brewster recorded sustained winds of 44 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Blaine County.
A nearby mesonet site near Brewster recorded sustained winds of 44 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Loup County.
Nearby Ainsworth AWOS recorded a wind gust of 60 mph with sustained winds up to 44 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Keya Paha County.
Ainsworth AWOS recorded a wind gust of 60 mph with sustained winds up to 44 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Brown County.
Nearby Ainsworth AWOS recorded a wind gust of 60 mph with sustained winds up to 44 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Rock County.
Valentine ASOS recorded a maximum wind gust of 66 mph. Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater were common during the early to mid evening hours. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts over 60 mph were common across eastern Cherry County.
Nearby Ord ASOS recorded a sustained wind of 47 mph with a peak wind gust of 64 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Garfield County.
Nearby Ord ASOS recorded a sustained wind of 47 mph with a peak wind gust of 64 mph. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Wheeler County.
O'Neill AWOS recorded a wind gust of 62 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph at times. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Holt County.
Nearby O'Neill AWOS recorded a wind gust of 62 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph at times. A mesonet site near Butte also recorded a 58 mph wind gust. Westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to around 60 mph were common across Boyd County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, December 2016
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: 664241, 664236, 664237, 664238, 664144, 664142, 664145, 664140, 664141, 664137, 664138, 664139, 664146, 664133, 664134, 664135, 664136.