Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, July 2 to 3, 2017

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, July 2 to 3, 2017
Start: 2017-07-02T15:20
End: 2017-07-03T00:09
Location: Nebraska

July 2 to 3, 2017 · NWS GID · 15 events in 5 counties and zones

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: $58,000
Crop damage: $150,000
Events: 15

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 GID wrote it up.

Thunderstorms produced severe hail and wind mainly west of Highway 183 on this Sunday afternoon and evening. A broken line of thunderstorms developed from northwest to southeast across the state of Nebraska during late in the afternoon hours. In the portion affecting central and south central portions of the state, a couple storms over the eastern portion of this line briefly turned severe, producing hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter in parts of Valley County. This portion of the line then dissipated, but storms from Custer County westward continued to increase and organize. By 7 pm CST, a cluster of severe storms had developed over southwest Custer and Lincoln Counties. This cluster became a small-scale squall line and, between 7 and 11 pm CST, it advanced to the south-southeast, affecting parts of Dawson, Gosper, and Furnas Counties before it exited into Kansas. This squall line produced mostly 1 inch hail in several locations. Damaging winds also occurred with the highest measured gust 72 mph at the Cambridge airport. Tree limbs were also snapped off just east of Cambridge, and some of them were very large. Around 1045 pm CST, some other storms initiated over Kearney and Franklin Counties, and they moved into Adams and Webster Counties. One of these storms produced some marginally severe hail with some small tree limbs snapped off.

These storms formed in an areas of relatively high surface pressure. A slow-moving cool front was north of the initiation area, extending from the Great Lakes across Iowa and then northwest across the Dakota's. In the upper-levels, the Westerlies were fairly zonal, but contained multiple low-amplitude shortwave troughs. One was over Nebraska and Kansas. When the storm first developed, temperatures were in the lower 90s with dewpoints in the lower to middle 60s. Mid-level lapse rates were steep (7.5 C/km), resulting in MLCAPE of 2000 to 2500 J/kg. Deep layer shear was around 25 kts and supportive of multicell storms.

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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 2, 2:24 PM CST, 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 2:24 PM CST, 56 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
324 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday)
Issued at 323 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

A few showers and thunderstorms continue to develop across the
northeast part of the forecast area this afternoon. Otherwise, there
are mostly clear skies across the area and temperatures are warming
up. In the area where the clouds and thunderstorms have been, it has
been a little cooler.

The main concern will be thunderstorm development. There is an upper
level wave that will be moving into the area and a surface boundary
across the northern part of Nebraska. Models have some differences
in where and how much precipitation there will be. The morning
convection also could have some impact on thunderstorms tonight.
Expect the thunderstorms to continue across the northern part of the
forecast area as thunderstorms develop along the boundary to the
north and move into the area during the late afternoon and evening.
The boundary sags to the south during the night and as another upper
level wave moves into the area, there could be some more development
to the west of the forecast area and those could move into the area
during the overnight hours. With all the differences in the models,
the confidence is a little shaky.

There could be a few lingering thunderstorms in the morning, but
otherwise expect mainly dry conditions. The upper level wave will
continue to move through the area and during the afternoon a few
thunderstorms could develop. The models continue to have some
differences for this time frame and there is some uncertainty.

.LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday)
Issued at 323 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

The models are a little more consistent for the Monday night time
frame. The NAM is dry, but the GFS and ECMWF both have precipitation
across the area. This looks to be the best time frame for
precipitation, especially during the evening. Precipitation should
linger into the overnight hours.

Tuesday into Tuesday night there continues to be a couple of upper
level waves that move through the area with on and off chances for
thunderstorms. The upper level ridge builds just to the west and
moves into the area Wednesday through Thursday. This will be a dry
period with warm temperatures.

Thursday night through Sunday there are a few waves that come over
the ridge. With each wave, there is a chance for some thunderstorms
to develop somewhere across the forecast area. These are small
chances for only parts of the forecast area and expect mainly hit
and miss showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Monday)
Issued at 1206 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

There will be some mainly isolated thunderstorms around this
afternoon with a better chance late this afternoon and evening.
Winds will be fairly light from the south or southeast.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
KS...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...JCB
LONG TERM...JCB
AVIATION...JCB

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 2:34 PM CST, 46 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
334 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
031200-
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-
334 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and
portions of north central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms will develop late this afternoon and
evening. Hail around the size of golf balls will be the primary
threat this afternoon and early evening. Severe wind gusts are
possible, primarily after dark.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Spotty thunderstorms will be possible at various times and
locations Monday and Tuesday, with the best chance Monday night.
Some storms Monday night could be severe with the main threat
locally damaging winds.

Intermittent thunderstorms are possible Thursday night through
Saturday. While strong or severe storms cannot be ruled out...it
is too early to identify any specific organized threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon into tonight.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 11:23 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1223 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

NEZ047-021815-
Howard NE-
1223 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL HOWARD COUNTY UNTIL
115 PM CDT...

At 1223 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
St. Paul, or 23 miles north of Grand Island, moving southeast at 10
mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
St. Paul and along Highway 92 east of St. Paul to the county line.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 4126 9829 4111 9829 4115 9844 4123 9850
      4131 9845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1723Z 306DEG 8KT 4125 9843

Moritz

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 1:34 PM CST, 1 hour 46 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
234 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

NEZ048-049-022015-
Merrick NE-Polk NE-
234 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN MERRICK AND NORTHERN
POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CDT...

At 234 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Silver Creek, or 18 miles southwest of Columbus, moving southeast at
20 mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Osceola, Shelby and Silver Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4115 9738 4122 9770 4130 9779 4131 9778
      4131 9771 4139 9770 4137 9760 4133 9760
      4134 9757 4136 9753 4135 9747 4131 9737
      4116 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 304DEG 19KT 4133 9768

Moritz

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 2:24 PM CST, 56 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
324 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

NEZ039-040-022115-
Valley NE-Greeley NE-
324 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN GREELEY AND
NORTHEASTERN VALLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

At 324 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fort Hartsuff State Park, or 11 miles east of Burwell, moving
southeast at 15 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Elyria and Fort Hartsuff State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4174 9862 4156 9876 4170 9909 4174 9906
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 304DEG 12KT 4178 9892

Fay

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 2:36 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
336 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

NEZ041-048-022100-
Merrick NE-Nance NE-
336 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN NANCE AND
NORTHEASTERN MERRICK COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM CDT...

At 335 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fullerton, or 31 miles west of Columbus, moving southeast at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Clarks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4117 9783 4125 9807 4134 9800 4130 9773
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 307DEG 13KT 4130 9794

Fay

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 3:19 PM CST, 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
419 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

NEZ039-040-022145-
Valley NE-Greeley NE-
419 PM CDT SUN JUL 2 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL GREELEY AND
NORTHEASTERN VALLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

At 419 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ord, moving southeast at 15 mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central
Greeley and northeastern Valley Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4174 9896 4174 9877 4158 9863 4154 9888
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 321DEG 12KT 4165 9884

Fay

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 148 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 hail, 7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Valley

When: July 2, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Valley County, 5 mi ENE of Ord
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 41.628, -98.841

Hail, Valley

When: July 2, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Valley County, 9 mi WSW of Elyria
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $150,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.630, -99.181

Hail, Dawson

When: July 2, 7:11 PM CST to 7:13 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 2 mi NNW of Gothenburg to Gothenburg
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.957, -100.165

Hail, Dawson

When: July 2, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, Gothenburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.930, -100.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Dawson

When: July 2, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 1.86 mi NNE of Farnam
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Insurance Company
Coordinates: 40.704, -100.215

Minor damage occurred to a home in Farnam.

Hail, Dawson

When: July 2, 7:46 PM CST to 8:04 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 4 mi NNE of Farnam to 1.91 mi NNE of Farnam
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.733, -100.201

Thunderstorm Wind, Furnas

When: July 2, 8:07 PM CST
Where: Furnas County, 3 mi NE of Cambridge
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.311, -100.130

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Tree limbs of 4 to 6 inches were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Furnas

When: July 2, 8:18 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Furnas County, 2 mi NNE of Cambridge to 1 mi E of Cambridge
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.307, -100.156

A mesonet station 2 miles north-northeast of Cambridge measured a wind gust of 72 MPH at 9:18 p.m. CDT. Wind gusts 1 mile east of Cambridge were estimated to be near 65 MPH. Tree limbs ranging from 4 to 16 inches in diameter were downed in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gosper

When: July 2, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 8 mi S of Elwood
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.484, -99.850

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH. Some small tree limbs were downed.

Hail, Gosper

When: July 2, 8:38 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 16.77 mi SSW of Elwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.390, -100.010

Hail, Furnas

When: July 2, 8:58 PM CST to 9:03 PM CST
Where: Furnas County, Holbrook to 3 mi E of Holbrook
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.300, -100.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Furnas

When: July 2, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Furnas County, Beaver City
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.150, -99.830

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 75 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind, Furnas

When: July 2, 9:03 PM CST
Where: Furnas County, 3 mi E of Holbrook
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.300, -99.963

Hail, Adams

When: July 3, 12:03 AM CST
Where: Adams County, 1.48 mi NNW of Hastings
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.600, -98.390

Thunderstorm Wind, Adams

When: July 3, 12:09 AM CST
Where: Adams County, 1.45 mi S of Hastings
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 40.559, -98.383

A number of tree limbs at least 3 inches in diameter were downed.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, July 2017

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: 700133, 700134, 700136, 700138, 700158, 700140, 700142, 700143, 700154, 700145, 700147, 700153, 700150, 700132, 700156.