A very small area of severe winds resulted from nearby thunderstorms during the very early morning hours on this Sunday. Throughout the nighttime hours, a small mesoscale convective system, comprised primarily of multicell thunderstorms, propagated east along and just south of the Nebraska-Kansas state line.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 GID wrote it up.
A very small area of severe winds resulted from nearby thunderstorms during the very early morning hours on this Sunday. Throughout the nighttime hours, a small mesoscale convective system, comprised primarily of multicell thunderstorms, propagated east along and just south of the Nebraska-Kansas state line. Northward moving outflow resulted in a little tree damage in the town of Axtell. Nearby observations at Holdrege and Hastings suggested these winds were associated with a heat burst. At 4 a.m. CST, the temperature at Hastings rocketed to 89 degrees, and the dewpoint plunged to 48. The previous hour both values were 76 and 64, respectively. That 89 degrees was the high temperature for the date. Winds at Holdrege gusted to 45 mph. The temperature and dewpoint changes there were not quite as impressive.
These thunderstorms formed in the warm sector, south of a wavy front that extended from New England, through the Ohio Valley, then northwest to low pressure over South Dakota. The rest of the front trailed southwest to Nevada. Convective initiation was most likely associated with the low-level jet, which had increased to 55 kts by daybreak. In the upper levels, forcing was negligible. Zonal flow was over the northern half of the United States, with weak anticyclonic flow over the southern U.S. A closed high was over New Mexico. Prior to the outflow moving through, temperatures were in the middle 70s, with dewpoints in the middle 60s. Mid-level lapse rates were steep, at least 8.5 degrees C/km. This resulted in MLCAPE of 1500 to 1900 J/kg. The nearest sounding, at North Platte, a few hours later (1200 UTC or 6 am CST), indicated a loaded gun profile, except winds were weak below 500 mb.
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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 17, 12:00 AM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 100 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday) Issued at 350 PM CDT Sat Jul 16 2016 Generally zonal flow remains in place across the region this afternoon, with high pressure centered roughly over NM. Outside of an isolated shower or two in our northwest, been a quiet day across the CWA. Very weak forcing, along with increasing mid level temps through the day, at this point not allowing those isolated showers to amount to much. Started out the day with a good chunk of the CWA under stratus, which did dissipate through the morning, with skies currently mostly clear in the south and partly cloudy skies north. At the surface, been a breezy day, with a tightened pressure gradient across the region between low pressure over the High Plains and high pressure over the Great Lakes. Southerly winds have been around 15 MPH, with gusts at times near 25 MPH. No big surprises with temps, 3 pm obs range from the lower 80s to near 90. For this evening/tonight, main concern lies with thunderstorm chances, but confidence is not high. Models showing another upper wave working through the region tonight, with our chances being dependent (at least partially) on activity that develops this afternoon out west. Models are not in the best of agreement with the evolution, how far east things make it/overall coverage over our CWA. A strong low level jet is expected to develop, but the better convergence/lift associated with it looks to be to our north (also where the cap is weaker). Coverage over our area looks to be more scattered in nature at this point, inherited slight chance/chance PoPs, made some adjustments, but with plenty of uncertainty even now, certainly wasn't going to raise them to likely PoPs. A good chunk of the CWA remains in the SPC Day 1 Slight Risk, and will keep severe mention as is in the HWO, if storms do develop/move in, they'll have sufficient shear/instability to work with. As we get into tomorrow, thinking is that whatever activity does occur will be out of the CWA by 12Z, and kept the morning hours dry. A surface frontal boundary sags south with time during the day, likely stalling out over our southern areas in the afternoon as it loses its push aloft. Even with this boundary around, with the lack of upper level forcing, models are actually in pretty good agreement with tomorrow being dry. Behind the front winds look to be north- northeasterly, with southwesterly winds ahead of the front, making temperatures tricky. With the more southwesterly winds (mainly in our far southeast corner), potentially seeing better mixing of dewpoints, temperatures tomorrow afternoon could reach near 100. Across the far northern areas, mid 80s are expected. For Monday, precipitation chances return to the forecast as another disturbance looks to move through. Aloft, models are in good agreement showing the daytime hours being with the pattern starts to amplify more as that ridge builds across the central CONUS. Have slight chance PoPs during the day, but confidence in anything happening is pretty low. That surface boundary remains in the region, eventually starting to push back north as a warm front, and with the approaching disturbance decided to keep those low PoPs in the forecast. Better chances come Monday evening/night, when the disturbance actually moves through the region, with the higher PoPs being across the northern CWA. It's quite possible chances south of roughly I-80 may end up being completely removed. Will have to see how models trend. 80s/90s remain for highs. .LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Saturday) Issued at 350 PM CDT Sat Jul 16 2016 Primary forecast concern through the longer term period remains with temperatures. Models remain in good agreement showing a more amplified upper level pattern in place by 12Z Tuesday, with an area of high pressure centered over the KS/OK/MO/AR border region and ridging extending well north into central Canada. Continue to have a slight chance of lingering precip Tuesday morning in the far east, but for most, the entire day looks dry. Not expecting a lot of change with that through at least Wednesday, with some uncertainties arising as we get into Thurs/Thurs night. Low pressure starting the week off over the Pac NW looks to transition to more of an open wave, then working its way east along the US/Can border through the middle of the week. This will cause the ridge to be broken down a bit, bit models vary with how much. The main question lies with whether any precipitation will develop/move through the area with this disturbance. Though the better upper lift remains to our north, a surface boundary draped through the area may provide a focus. Models don't agree with how much/if any activity there is, even though mid level temps/capping is similar. Had inherited a dry forecast, and with models not agreeing with this feature/precip chances, decided to keep the forecast dry. Fri/Sat remains dry. Been little change with the temperature forecast, with warmer air building back into the region as the week passes. Expecting CWA- wide 90s for highs for Tuesday, with upper 90s/just over 100 for Wed and Thurs, and a touch cooler (still 90s) for Fri/Sat. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 06Z Sunday night) Issued at 1259 AM CDT Sun Jul 17 2016 Main issue is low-level wind shear overnight, and could be close to an issue again Sunday night. Could be some stratus early morning but left out as confidence is low. && .GID Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NE...None. KS...None. && SHORT TERM...ADP LONG TERM...ADP AVIATION...Heinlein
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE 809 PM CDT SAT JUL 16 2016 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 171315- PHILLIPS-SMITH-JEWELL-ROOKS-OSBORNE-MITCHELL-VALLEY-GREELEY-NANCE- SHERMAN-HOWARD-MERRICK-POLK-DAWSON-BUFFALO-HALL-HAMILTON-YORK- GOSPER-PHELPS-KEARNEY-ADAMS-CLAY-FILLMORE-FURNAS-HARLAN-FRANKLIN- WEBSTER-NUCKOLLS-THAYER- 809 PM CDT SAT JUL 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA AND PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. AN ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE STORM IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 50 TO 60 MPH WIND GUSTS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. FROM SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING...THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CHANCES FOR THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN AT LEAST PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY IN THE DETAILS...THERE APPEARS TO BE A MARGINAL RISK THAT SOME STORMS DURING THIS TIME FRAME COULD BECOME SEVERE. BECAUSE THUNDERSTORM PREDICTABILITY IN THIS TRICKY SUMMER WEATHER PATTERN CURRENTLY CARRIES LOWER THAN AVERAGE CONFIDENCE...PLEASE STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST FORECASTS...AS STORM CHANCES COULD INCREASE OR DECREASE ON FAIRLY SHORT NOTICE. OVERALL...THE BIGGEST WEATHER STORY OF THE NEXT WEEK WILL BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEAT. ON EACH AFTERNOON FROM SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...AT LEAST PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA ARE EXPECTED TO SEE THE HEAT INDEX CLIMB BETWEEN 100 AND 105 DEGREES. INITIALLY...ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY...HEAT INDEX NEAR 100 DEGREES WILL FOCUS SOUTH OF THE NEBRASKA AND KANSAS STATE LINE. THEN FROM TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...HEAT INDICES OF 100 OR HIGHER WILL EXPAND TO INCLUDE MORE OF THE OUTLOOK AREA...WITH THE OVERALL HOTTEST DAYS EXPECTED TO BE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR MOST LOCATIONS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED OVERNIGHT. && MORE INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE FOLLOWING WEB PAGE: HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/HASTINGS (ALL LOWERCASE)
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
131 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
KSZ005-NEZ082-083-170715-
PHILLIPS KS-FURNAS NE-HARLAN NE-
131 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PHILLIPS...SOUTHERN
FURNAS AND SOUTHWESTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 215 AM CDT...
AT 129 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG
A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTH OF BEAVER CITY TO NEAR
WILSONVILLE. MOVEMENT WAS GENERALLY EAST AT 25 TO 35 MPH.
HALF INCH HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS POTENTIALLY IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BEAVER CITY...STAMFORD...LONG ISLAND...WILSONVILLE...HENDLEY AND HOLLINGER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
&&
LAT...LON 4024 9950 3993 9946 3993 9963 4000 9963
4000 10019 4016 10019
TIME...MOT...LOC 0629Z 262DEG 28KT 4004 9984 4005 10015
PFANNKUCHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
216 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
KSZ005-NEZ082-083-170800-
PHILLIPS KS-FURNAS NE-HARLAN NE-
216 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PHILLIPS...
SOUTHEASTERN FURNAS AND SOUTHWESTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 300 AM
CDT...
AT 216 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8
MILES SOUTHEAST OF HENDLEY...OR 35 MILES NORTHWEST OF PHILLIPSBURG...
MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
STAMFORD AND LONG ISLAND...
AND MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF SOUTHERN FURNAS COUNTY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
&&
LAT...LON 4004 10002 4020 9952 3995 9944 3993 9963
4000 9963 4000 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 0716Z 252DEG 28KT 4001 9990
PFANNKUCHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
238 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
NEZ083-084-170830-
FRANKLIN NE-HARLAN NE-
238 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN FRANKLIN AND
SOUTHEASTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 330 AM CDT...
AT 237 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
REPUBLICAN CITY...OR 24 MILES SOUTH OF HOLDREGE...MOVING EAST AT 25
MPH.
DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS POTENTIALLY IMPACTED INCLUDE...FRANKLIN...REPUBLICAN
CITY...NAPONEE...BLOOMINGTON AND HARLAN COUNTY DAM.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
&&
LAT...LON 4017 9934 4019 9879 4000 9877 4000 9881
4001 9929
TIME...MOT...LOC 0737Z 266DEG 20KT 4010 9923
PFANNKUCHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
248 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
KSZ005-NEZ082-083-170830-
PHILLIPS KS-FURNAS NE-HARLAN NE-
248 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PHILLIPS...
SOUTHEASTERN FURNAS AND SOUTHWESTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 330 AM
CDT...
AT 247 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG
A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF STAMFORD TO NEAR PRAIRIE
VIEW. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 30 MPH.
HALF INCH HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS POTENTIALLY IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PHILLIPSBURG...ALMA...ORLEANS...STAMFORD...LONG ISLAND... PRAIRIE
VIEW AND WOODRUFF.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
&&
LAT...LON 4019 9935 3976 9923 3971 9963 4000 9963
4000 9972 4009 9974
TIME...MOT...LOC 0747Z 251DEG 25KT 4005 9964 3980 9961
PFANNKUCHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE 257 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016 NEZ083>085-170830- WEBSTER NE-FRANKLIN NE-HARLAN NE- 257 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN WEBSTER...FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN HARLAN COUNTIES UNTIL 330 AM CDT... AT 239 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR NAPONEE...OR 25 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HOLDREGE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. HALF INCH HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... FRANKLIN...REPUBLICAN CITY...NAPONEE...BLOOMINGTON...RIVERTON... INAVALE AND HARLAN COUNTY DAM. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... && LAT...LON 4002 9924 4019 9926 4028 9864 4001 9861 TIME...MOT...LOC 0739Z 264DEG 25KT 4012 9915 HEINLEIN
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE 258 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016 NEZ084-085-170845- WEBSTER NE-FRANKLIN NE- 258 AM CDT SUN JUL 17 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEBSTER AND SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 345 AM CDT... AT 257 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR RIVERTON...OR 35 MILES NORTHEAST OF PHILLIPSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... RED CLOUD...GUIDE ROCK...RIVERTON...COWLES AND INAVALE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... && LAT...LON 4000 9891 4020 9892 4025 9827 4000 9827 TIME...MOT...LOC 0757Z 265DEG 31KT 4010 9882 HEINLEIN
The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:14 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in a tree being uprooted. These winds were likely associated with outflow from storms several miles to the south.
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, July 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: 641024.