Thunderstorms produce a tornado and 3 inch hail.
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 GLD wrote it up.
Thunderstorms produce a tornado and 3 inch hail.
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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 17, 1:30 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 230 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 .MESOSCALE DISCUSSION... Issued at 226 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 Slightly backed winds to east of dryline leading to stronger convergence in this area than earlier in the day. Think these storms will have a high likelihood of becoming severe in the next hour. Area is on the gradient of instability, with values quickly climbing up to around 3000 j/kg and effective shear around 50 kts. Storms should become supercells and stay somewhat isolated, further enhancing the risk. && .SHORT TERM...(Through Tonight) Issued at 103 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 Overview: A lee cyclone in eastern Colorado -- associated with strengthening SW flow aloft on the eastern periphery of an upper level low progressing from NV into UT -- will track northeast into central Nebraska this afternoon and evening. Diffluent flow aloft, DPVA attendant small amplitude waves in SW flow aloft, and low-level convergence invof the aforementioned lee cyclone -- focused along a N-S oriented dryline along the CO/KS border and a WSW-ENE oriented stationary front extending from Washington/Yuma counties in Colorado to Dundy/Hitchcock counties in Nebraska -- will aid in the development of scattered convection across the Tri-State area this afternoon. Simulated reflectivity forecasts via the HRRR continue to indicate that isolated convection will develop along the dryline invof Goodland ~20Z and track northeast to McCook by ~23Z. HRRR simulated reflectivity forecasts suggest (albeit with less run-to-run continuity) that isolated convection may develop invof the intersection of the stationary front and dryline over central Yuma county ~21-22Z. At this time, the greatest potential for severe weather is expected along a SW-NE corridor from Sharon Springs/Goodland to Atwood/Oberlin/McCook between 20-02Z, with the most favorable environmental conditions in northeast portions of the GLD CWA where H85 dewpoints are ~16C and MLCAPE values will approach 3500 J/kg at peak heating. Steep mid-level lapse rates, strong instability, and 40-50 knots of effective deep layer shear suggest that established updrafts will quickly become robust supercells capable of producing very large hail (2-4") and damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph. Convection is initially anticipated to be high-based with relatively little tornado potential, however, tornado potential will increase with north/east extent from Goodland -- where rich low-level moisture is less likely to decrease mix-out in association with the eastward advancing dry-line -- particularly between 00-02Z as low-level shear increases in association with strengthening southerly flow /onset of the nocturnal LLJ/. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Friday) Issued at 1240 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 The closed low is expected to be situated over Rockies by tomorrow. As the low moves northeast, a weak ridge moves across the central Plains Sunday and Sunday night. Another trough associated with an upper level closed low begins to move back into the central U.S. Monday. As the low moves north, another low builds in behind over the west-central U.S. Tuesday. The GFS and ECMWF both have the closed low over the west-central U.S. stalling and weakening over that region as high pressure builds west from the southeastern U.S. through Friday. The GFS has the high pressure begin to weaken over the southeast U.S. Friday while the ECMWF does not show the high pressure weakening until next Saturday. A series of surface lows are expected to move across the Tri-State region throughout the extended forecast period. These lows will brings chances for rain and thunderstorms throughout much of the extended forecast period. Temperatures will warm through Thursday with a slight cooling Friday ranging from the 50s to low 80s. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1230 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 Scattered thunderstorms will be possible at both terminals this afternoon and evening, primarily between 20-23Z at GLD and 21-02Z at MCK. Any thunderstorms that develop will pose an extreme hazard to aviation -- i.e. capable of producing 60-70 knot surface wind gusts and golfball to baseball size hail. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the TAF period. Southerly winds are expected to strengthen to 25-35 knots this afternoon, with gusts as high as 40-45 knots possible late this afternoon and early this evening, primarily between 21-02Z. Winds will shift to the NW at 25-35 knots around 02-03Z at GLD and 03-04Z at MCK, as a lee cyclone tracks northeast from Colorado into central Nebraska. Winds will rapidly weaken and shift to the west late this evening (by midnight MDT), remaining westerly at 7-12 knots through sunrise Sat morning. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && MESOSCALE...JRM SHORT TERM...VINCENT LONG TERM...NEWMAN AVIATION...VINCENT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 213 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-182015- Yuma County-Kit Carson County-Cheyenne County-Cheyenne-Rawlins- Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove- Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 213 PM MDT Fri May 17 2019 /313 PM CDT Fri May 17 2019/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... Tornado Watch 172 is in effect until 9 pm this evening for the majority of the Tri-State area. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop along the dry line in vicinity of Highway 27 around 2 to 3 pm MDT. Storms will track northeast into southwest Nebraska late this afternoon and evening. Golfball to baseball size hail and damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph will be the main severe weather hazards. An isolated tornado will be possible after 6 pm MDT, primarily east of Highway 25 and north of Highway 24. Additionally, south to southwest winds will increase to 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph this afternoon and early this evening. Blowing dust and reduced visibilities will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY... Scattered thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon and evening hours this weekend and early next week. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is requested through 9 pm MDT for Tornado Watch 172. Vincent
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
303 PM MDT FRI MAY 17 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 PM HAIL 13 N EDSON 39.51N 101.57W
05/17/2019 E1.75 INCH SHERMAN KS TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED HAIL UP TO GOLF
BALL SIZE COVERING THE GROUND.
&&
JRPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
336 PM MDT FRI MAY 17 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 PM HAIL 13 N EDSON 39.51N 101.57W
05/17/2019 E2.00 INCH SHERMAN KS TRAINED SPOTTER
CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 13 N
EDSON. TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED HAIL UP TO 2
INCHES IN DIAMETER, WITH PEA TO DIME SIZE
HAIL COVERING THE GROUND. ALSO REPORTED
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY INCLUDING BROKEN WINDOWS
AT THEIR HOUSE AND HAIL DAMAGE TO THEIR CAR.
&&
JRPThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:43 UTC.
10 hail, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported via Facebook hail up to 2 inches in diameter 1 mile SE of Benkelman. Report included a picture with several hail stones larger than a golf ball.
Public reported via Facebook hail in downtown Benkelman, NE, up to just larger than dime size, with several stones around pea size.
Trained spotter reported half dollar size hail in Benkelman.
Golf ball size hail reported at Benkleman golf course.
Pea to nickle sized hail in downtown Benkleman.
Public reported via Facebook with a picture of hail up to 3 inches in diameter along hwy 25 at the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Numerous hail stones ranging in size from 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter were observed during a severe thunderstorm.
Fire department reported hail up to nickel size 1.5 miles north of the Kansas-Nebraska state line on Road 368.
Hitchcock County Emergency Management reported a tornado south of Culbertson, NE. The tornado crossed Highway 17 between mile markers 10 and 11. No damage was reported and no clear damage was found by NWS storm survey on May 18th, 2019.
The tornado began just south of Highway 34 along the Red Willow and Hitchcock County line. The tornado moved north-northeast across Red Willow County before ending northwest of McCook, NE. The tornado struck a farm and this is where the most intense damage was done. Otherwise, damage consisted of sporadic tree limbs down, some barbed wire fences knocked over, irrigation pivots overturned, and minor loss of metal roofing.
The primary damage occurred when the tornado moved across a farm. The tornado entered the property from the southwest, where it went through a wind break and snapped numerous hardwood and softwood trees. The storm also destroyed 6 grain bins, 5 farm outbuildings, and produced significant damage to a house. The EF-2 rating is a direct result of the house damage, which consisted of a few collapsed exterior brick walls, uplift or removal of half of the structure's roof, and complete removal of the garage. Additional damage included shattered windows to the house and vehicles, damage to a combine due to being struck by a grain bin, damage to fences, and other trees with losses to branches.
Pea to quarter size hail reported from storm chasers.
Trained spotter reported hail up to 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter along us Highway 83 north of McCook, Nebraska. Time estimated via radar.
Tornado reported north of McCook, NE. No damage was found by storm survey other than a few snapped branches off trees and minor debris from unknown sources/structures. Could not find a defined path but tornado continued into Frontier County, NE.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Nebraska, 2019Warnings in Nebraska, May 2019
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: 828010, 828011, 828012, 828013, 828014, 828015, 865114, 828016, 863413, 863414, 828018, 828020, 863432.