Tornado and Hail in Nebraska, July 29, 2016

Name: Tornado and Hail in Nebraska, July 29, 2016
Start: 2016-07-29T14:00
End: 2016-07-29T17:40
Location: Nebraska

July 29, 2016 · NWS CYS · 11 events in 6 counties and zones

Thunderstorms across portions of the Nebraska panhandle produced large hail, damaging winds and a weak tornado.

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

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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.

Thunderstorms across portions of the Nebraska panhandle produced large hail, damaging winds and a weak tornado.

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 Jul 29, 11:07 AM MST, 2 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 29, 11:07 AM MST, 2 hours 53 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
1207 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1145 AM MDT Fri Jul 29 2016

Low-level cumulus field is expanding rapidly in both coverage, and
vertical extent over the Laramie Range. The overall environment is
already quite favorable for severe thunderstorm development, w/the
latest SPC Mesoscale Analysis showing steepening low/mid-lvl lapse
rates and resultant MUCAPES over 2000 J/kg with minimal CIN. Moist
boundary layer in place along/east of the Laramie Range with upper
50s dewpoints currently observed at KCYS, and effective bulk shear
is more than sufficient for supercells at 40 kts. This combined w/
excellent low-level convergence will more than likely support more
widespread activity as we head into the afternoon. Agree with HRRR
solutions showing robust convection along a Cheyenne to Torrington
line at 22z. Introduced likely PoPs over much of southeast WY this
afternoon. All other aspects of the forecast are in good shape.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 300 AM MDT Fri Jul 29 2016

Today...Still believe we will see some fog develop during the late
night and early morning hours based on current and projected
temperature and dewpoint spreads, especially once some residual low
and middle clouds dissipate with the passing showers across far
southeast Wyoming and the southern Nebraska panhandle.

Agree with the Storm Prediction Center outlook of marginal risk
along and east of a Douglas to Laramie line this afternoon and
evening based on the events of the past few days, as well as the
proximity of a low and mid level theta-e ridge axis of instability
residing north to south across far southeast Wyoming and the
Nebraska Panhandle. Low level convergence along the Laramie Range
expected to help ignite isolated to widely scattered coverage of
thunderstorms this afternoon, and with projected CAPES of 1000 to
2000 J/kg and wind shear in excess of 40 knots, expect isolated
strong to severe storms to develop in the marginal risk area, most
likely south of a Cheyenne to Alliance line where instability will
be maximized. Guidance maximums close and will follow these.

Tonight...Storms expected to decrease in coverage and intensity this
evening with the loss of daytime heating with more late night fog
developing across parts of western Nebraska based on projected
boundary layer progs.

Saturday...With less low and mid level moisture availability and
warmer temperatures at mid levels of the atmosphere, expect less
coverage of afternoon and evening thunderstorms along with warmer
temperatures at NAM and GFS guidance temperatures suggest.

Saturday night...A quieter night with minimal chance of showers and
thunderstorms due to lack of forcing mechanisms and lift. Boundary
layer progs suggest late night fog possible from Chadron to Sidney.

Sunday...A weak shortwave progged to move across northern Colorado
will combine with adequate mid level moisture to produce isolated
afternoon and evening thunderstorms, with limited coverage due to
relatively warm temperatures aloft near 16 Celsius. Warming trend
continues per thicknesses and warming temperatures aloft and have
compromised between the NAM and GFS MOS maximum temperatures.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Thursday)
Issued at 330 AM MDT Fri Jul 29 2016

There is general consensus with the 00Z medium range models progging
the subtropical upper high center to shift east from the Four Corners
to the south central Great Plains by midweek. The flow aloft will
become southwest, opening the door for some monsoonal moisture.
However, diurnal convective coverage will be isolated to widely
scattered at best and confined to the higher terrain and portions
of the plains. The ECMWF continues its wetter trend compared to
the GFS, and compromised. Monday and Tuesday will be warmer than
average with highs in the 80s to mid 90s. A rather potent upper
trough will track east along the northern tier CONUS Wednesday
which will push a cool front through the CWA. The flow aloft will
be more westerly which will cut off the monsoonal moisture.
Temperatures will moderate back to normal values for early August
with highs in the 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1145 AM MDT Fri Jul 29 2016

Mostly vfr conditions through the taf period. Scattered
thunderstorms will develop along the Laramie Range over the next
few hours and move southeast. Included vcts at most sites through
the early evening. The best chance of mvfr/vfr vis in heavy rain
will be at CYS. Winds will generally be below 20 kts, except in
the vicinity of tstms.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 300 AM MDT Fri Jul 29 2016

Lowering afternoon humidities through the weekend, and with winds
and gusts slowly increasing each day, concerns will increase
especially by Sunday along and west of Interstate 25.

&&

.CYS Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
WY...None.
NE...None.
&&

UPDATE...CLH
SHORT TERM...RUBIN
LONG TERM...MAJ
AVIATION...ZF
FIRE WEATHER...RUBIN

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 29, 11:12 AM MST, 2 hours 48 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
1212 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>103-106>108-116>119-
301815-
DAWES-BOX BUTTE-SCOTTS BLUFF-BANNER-MORRILL-KIMBALL-CHEYENNE-
NORTH SIOUX-SOUTH SIOUX-CONVERSE COUNTY LOWER ELEVATIONS-
NIOBRARA COUNTY-NORTH LARAMIE RANGE-
CENTRAL LARAMIE RANGE AND SOUTHWEST PLATTE COUNTY-
EAST PLATTE COUNTY-GOSHEN COUNTY-SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE-
SOUTH LARAMIE RANGE FOOTHILLS-CENTRAL LARAMIE COUNTY-
EAST LARAMIE COUNTY-
1212 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN
NEBRASKA...EAST CENTRAL WYOMING AND SOUTHEAST WYOMING.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND
THE WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE
BEST CHANCE WILL BE ALONG AND EAST OF THE LARAMIE RANGE...TO THE
SOUTH OF A WHEATLAND TO TORRINGTON LINE DURING THE MID TO LATE
AFTERNOON. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED...WITH LARGE
HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL THE PRIMARY
HAZARDS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP EACH
DAY THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL BE
POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN NEBRASKA SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY
EVENING ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 25.

WYZ104-105-109>115-301815-
FERRIS/SEMINOE/SHIRLEY MOUNTAINS-SHIRLEY BASIN-
CENTRAL CARBON COUNTY-NORTH SNOWY RANGE FOOTHILLS-
SOUTHWEST CARBON COUNTY-SIERRA MADRE RANGE-
UPPER NORTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-SNOWY RANGE-LARAMIE VALLEY-
1212 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP IN THE VICINITY OF THE MOUNTAINS
THIS AFTERNOON AND MAY PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

ISOLATED AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP EACH DAY THROUGH
EARLY NEXT WEEK. SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TODAY OR TONIGHT.

HAMMER

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 29, 1:17 PM MST, 43 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
217 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

NEZ002-003-292045-
DAWES NE-BOX BUTTE NE-
217 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN DAWES AND CENTRAL BOX
BUTTE COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM MDT...

AT 216 PM MDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8
MILES WEST OF HEMINGFORD...OR 24 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALLIANCE...MOVING
SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
HEMINGFORD AND BEREA.

LAT...LON 4236 10338 4247 10319 4227 10286 4208 10320
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 322DEG 10KT 4232 10324

MAZUR

Special weather statement, Jul 29, 1:24 PM MST, 36 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
224 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

NEZ095-096-292115-
SOUTH SIOUX NE-NORTH SIOUX NE-
224 PM MDT FRI JUL 29 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN SIOUX COUNTY UNTIL
315 PM MDT...

AT 224 PM MDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
AGATE BED NATIONAL MONUMENT...OR 27 MILES NORTHEAST OF TORRINGTON...
MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
AGATE BED NATIONAL MONUMENT.

LAT...LON 4237 10401 4247 10393 4241 10356 4220 10372
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 292DEG 8KT 4239 10388

MAZUR

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 182 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Box Butte

When: July 29, 2:00 PM MST to 2:05 PM MST
Where: Box Butte County, 8 mi W of Berea
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.210, -103.136

Ping pong ball size hail covered the ground eight miles west of Berea.

Hail, Banner

When: July 29, 2:23 PM MST to 2:28 PM MST
Where: Banner County, 12 mi WNW of Harrisburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.617, -103.954

Quarter size hail covered the ground 12 miles west-northwest of Harrisburg.

Hail, Morrill

When: July 29, 2:45 PM MST to 2:50 PM MST
Where: Morrill County, Angora
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.850, -103.130

Golf ball size hail covered the ground at Angora.

Hail, Banner

When: July 29, 2:50 PM MST to 2:53 PM MST
Where: Banner County, 8 mi W of Harrisburg
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.550, -103.895

Ping pong ball size hail was reported eight miles west of Harrisburg.

Hail, Banner

When: July 29, 3:10 PM MST to 3:12 PM MST
Where: Banner County, Harrisburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.550, -103.740

Quarter size hail was reported at Harrisburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrill

When: July 29, 3:42 PM MST to 3:45 PM MST
Where: Morrill County, 5 mi E of Redington
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.580, -103.173

Estimated 70 mph wind gusts snapped a utility pole.

Tornado, Morrill

When: July 29, 4:22 PM MST to 4:27 PM MST
Where: Morrill County, 16.73 mi WNW of Dalton to 6.55 mi S of Redington
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.31 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.500, -103.270

A weak tornado touched down in open country about 17 miles west-northwest of Dalton. It moved southeast and was in contact with the ground for five minutes before it lifted.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When: July 29, 4:25 PM MST to 4:28 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 15 mi E of Scottsbluff
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.870, -103.379

Quarter size hail was reported 15 miles east of Scottsbluff.

Hail, Cheyenne

When: July 29, 4:46 PM MST to 4:51 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 7 mi WSW of Dalton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.371, -103.095

Half dollar size hail covered the ground seven miles west-southwest of Dalton.

Hail, Dawes

When: July 29, 5:27 PM MST to 5:30 PM MST
Where: Dawes County, 5.64 mi ESE of Chadron
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.806, -102.894

Quarter size hail was reported on Highway 20 about six miles east-southeast of Chadron.

Hail, Cheyenne

When: July 29, 5:35 PM MST to 5:40 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 2 mi N of Sidney
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.179, -102.980

Half dollar size hail covered the ground two miles north of Sidney.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Nebraska, 2016 Warnings in Nebraska, July 2016

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: 656535, 656536, 656539, 656540, 656541, 656548, 656554, 656553, 656555, 656556, 656552.