Flood and Hail in Nebraska, May 27, 2018

Name: Flood and Hail in Nebraska, May 27, 2018
Start: 2018-05-27T17:11
End: 2018-05-27T19:16
Location: Nebraska

May 27, 2018 · NWS CYS · 10 events in 4 counties and zones

Several strong thunderstorms produced large hail, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall across portions of the Nebraska Panhandle. Heavy rains inundated the storm drains in downtown Scottsbluff causing roadways to flood.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 10

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.

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 May 27, 1:00 PM MST, 4 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 27, 1:00 PM MST, 4 hours 11 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
200 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday)
Issued at 120 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

...Mesoscale update...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 123 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT...

A few storms have developed west of the Laramie Range in the higher
terrain to the west of Interstate 25. Visible satellite also
showed agitated cumulus south across the front range of
colorado.This is indicative of the unstable environment with
steep lapse rates and between 1500 and 2500 j/kg of MLCAPE. The
latest observations from the KCYS Vertical Wind Profiler show
15-20 kts 0-1 km shear and 40+ kts 0-3 km shear. This is very
favorable for low level updraft rotation with discrete storms. Mid
level mesocyclones have been noted in several storms to the west.
As storms move off the higher terrain and into the low level
moisture, they will pose a threat for large hail, damaging winds,
and an isolated tornado or two. One question that remains is the
quality of the low level moisture. Cheyenne has held steady in the
mid 50s which would keep T/TD spreads relatively low. This would
help keep LCLs lower and potential increase the threat for a
tornado. The other question is storm coverage. If many storms form
and the moisture content is too low, storm interactions and
outflow should shift the focus toward damaging winds and large
hail as storms congeal. Trends will continue to be monitored as
more storms develop and move into a favorable environment for
severe weather.

...Today, Tonight...

Rounds of showers and thunderstorms will develop and move slowly
northeastward. Some storms could be severe and produce large
hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. There will also be a
threat for flash flooding as storms congeal into a cluster after
sunset. Will continue the Flash Flood watch until midnight
tonight. Overall forecast is on track and not much was changed
from the last issuance. Clouds will limit the temperatures
somewhat tomorrow especially if showers and thunderstorms persist
through the night, as some models suggest. This also lends
importance to the severe threat for Monday. Details with that
environment will be affected by what happens with the convection
today. A few severe storms will be possible with large hail,
strong winds, and an isolated tornado.

.LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday)
Issued at 120 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

An active period of weather is expected through the long term as
an upper low moves slowly across the plains. Showers and
thunderstorms ongoing Monday night will continue overnight into
Tuesday. Models show good QPF signals across the area thanks to
the lift from the upper level low. The rain and clouds should keep
high temperatures cooler on Tuesday with some more showers and
thunderstorms. The severe threat is low for Tuesday but could
possibly increase as models converge on a solution. Wednesday
will start a bit of a warm up trend as as showers and storms
become more isolated through the period. High temperatures will
be back up into the low to mid 80s across southeastern Wyoming and
western Nebraska by Wednesday afternoon. Thursday will be the
warmest day of the week with upper 80s to near 90 returning to the
Panhandle. Isolated showers and storms will be possible along an
approaching cool front Friday and Saturday along with some
stronger west winds along the front. Temps on Sunday will be more
mild as a shortwave ridge builds in. This will keep most of the
rain chances at bay in the longer term.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through Monday morning)

Main forecast challenge will be the timing and coverage of
convection this afternoon and possibly through tonight.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop between 19z to 22z for the
southeast Wyoming terminals, but closer to 23z Sunday to 03z Monday
for western Nebraska. There is indication that showers and
thunderstorms may redevelop late this evening through tonight, so
kept a mention of VCTS through the overnight hours.  In addition,
some low stratus and fog is possible after 09z and into Monday
morning, mainly for KLAR and KCYS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 120 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

Fire weather concerns are low through the period. An upper level
low pressure system will bring active weather to Wyoming and
Nebraska. Rounds of showers and thunderstorms will keep relative
humidities high and bring wetting rain through the week limiting
the overall fire danger.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for WYZ101>103-
 106>108. Severe Thunderstorm Watch 123 until 8 pm MDT for
WYZ101-119

NE...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for NEZ095-096.
 Severe Thunderstorm Watch 123 until 8 pm MDT.

&&

SHORT TERM...ADL
LONG TERM...ADL
AVIATION...TJT
FIRE WEATHER...ADL

Hazardous weather outlook, May 27, 11:58 AM MST, 5 hours 13 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
1258 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

WYZ101-103>119-281900-
Converse County Lower Elevations-North Laramie Range-
Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-Shirley Basin-
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Carbon County-
North Snowy Range Foothills-Southwest Carbon County-
Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range-
Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
1258 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for southeast Wyoming
this afternoon until 800 pm MST. Thunderstorms are currently
developing south of Interstate 80, but will gradually move north
and east through the afternoon. A few storms could be severe,
with large hail and damaging winds the primary hazards. A brief
tornado is also possible.

In addition, some storms will likely produce heavy rainfall. This
may lead to localized flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch has been
issued for portions of east central Wyoming and the northern
Nebraska Panhandle.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are possible again on Monday
afternoon and evening, especially along and east of the Laramie
Range.

Thunderstorms are possible again on Monday afternoon and evening,
especially along and east of the Laramie Range. A few storms could
be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps an
isolated tornado.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotters are urged to report severe weather to the National
Weather Service.

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ102-281900-
Dawes-Box Butte-Scotts Bluff-Banner-Morrill-Kimball-Cheyenne-
North Sioux-South Sioux-Niobrara County-
1258 PM MDT Sun May 27 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of western
Nebraska and east central Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 800 pm MST, but
this Watch will likely be extended through late this evening.
Thunderstorms are currently developing south of Interstate 80
across southeast Wyoming, but will gradually move north and east
through the afternoon. A few storms could be severe, with large
hail and damaging winds the primary hazards.

In addition, some storms will likely produce heavy rainfall. This
may lead to localized flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch has been
issued for portions of east central Wyoming and the northern
Nebraska Panhandle.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are possible again on Monday
afternoon and evening, especially along and east of the Laramie
Range.

Thunderstorms are possible again on Monday afternoon and evening,
especially along and east of the Laramie Range. A few storms could
be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps an
isolated tornado.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotters are urged to report severe weather to the National
Weather Service.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 27, 3:31 PM MST, 1 hour 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
431 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0430 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     30 N CHEYENNE           41.58N 104.79W
05/27/2018                   LARAMIE            WY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NEAR MILE MARKER 40

&&

BCHAPMAN

Special weather statement, May 27, 4:12 PM MST, 59 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
512 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

WYZ101-103-280000-
Converse County Lower Elevations WY-North Laramie Range WY-
512 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL CONVERSE COUNTY UNTIL 600
PM MDT...

At 512 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Douglas, moving north at 20 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Douglas.

This includes Interstate 25 in Wyoming between mile markers 131 and
151.

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.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 800 PM MDT for
east central Wyoming.

LAT...LON 4270 10512 4269 10555 4311 10586 4325 10534
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 171DEG 20KT 4279 10545

Allen

Special weather statement, May 27, 4:13 PM MST, 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
513 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

WYZ106>108-280000-
East Platte County WY-
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County WY-
Goshen County WY-
513 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL GOSHEN AND
SOUTHEASTERN PLATTE COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM MDT...

At 513 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Grayrocks Reservoir, or 10 miles east of Wheatland, moving north at
25 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Wheatland, Guernsey, Chugcreek, Y-O Ranch, Grayrocks Reservoir,
Slater, Guernsey Campground and Hartville.

This includes Interstate 25 in Wyoming between mile markers 64 and
68.

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.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 800 PM MDT for
southeastern Wyoming.

LAT...LON 4187 10459 4185 10491 4237 10497 4239 10457
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 172DEG 22KT 4206 10476

Allen

Special weather statement, May 27, 4:42 PM MST, 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
542 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

WYZ107-108-280030-
East Platte County WY-Goshen County WY-
542 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN GOSHEN AND
SOUTHEASTERN PLATTE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM MDT...

At 542 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of Chugwater, or 25 miles southeast of Wheatland, moving
north at 25 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Slater.

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.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 800 PM MDT for
southeastern Wyoming.

LAT...LON 4170 10473 4210 10488 4213 10451 4172 10450
      4170 10464
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 172DEG 22KT 4176 10466

Allen

Local storm report, May 27, 4:54 PM MST, 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
554 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0550 PM     HAIL             12 E CHUGWATER          41.76N 104.59W
05/27/2018  E0.88 INCH       GOSHEN             WY   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BCHAPMAN

Local storm report, May 27, 5:11 PM MST, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
611 PM MDT SUN MAY 27 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0610 PM     TSTM WND GST     SIDNEY                  41.13N 102.97W
05/27/2018  M54 MPH          CHEYENNE           NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BCHAPMAN

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 154 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:11 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail, 1 heavy rain, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: May 27, 5:11 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 1.48 mi SSE of Sidney
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.130, -102.970

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 6:03 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 0.51 mi W of Gering
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.830, -103.670

Heavy Rain, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 6:14 PM MST to 6:54 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 0.51 mi E of Scottsbluff
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.870, -103.660

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 6:15 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 4.4 mi N of (Bff)helig Field
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.933, -103.578

An irrigation pivot was knocked over near County Road 26 and Lake Minitare.

Hail, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 6:18 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 0.51 mi E of Scottsbluff
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.870, -103.660

Thunderstorm Wind, Sioux

When: May 27, 6:24 PM MST
Where: Sioux County, Montrose
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.920, -103.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 6:32 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, Melbeta
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.780, -103.520

Two utility poles were knocked over along County Road A.

Hail, Dawes

When: May 27, 6:54 PM MST
Where: Dawes County, 0.86 mi NW of Crawford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.690, -103.410

Hail, Dawes

When: May 27, 6:59 PM MST
Where: Dawes County, 1.67 mi WSW of Ft Robinson
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.660, -103.480

Flood, Scotts Bluff

When: May 27, 7:16 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, 0.51 mi E of Scottsbluff to 0.61 mi ESE of Scottsbluff
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.870, -103.660

Numerous streets across downtown Scottsbluff were covered with water due to recent heavy rainfall.

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, May 2018

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: 785949, 785950, 785962, 785951, 785952, 785953, 785954, 785955, 785956, 785957.