Two separate rounds of mostly non-severe thunderstorms swept through South Central Nebraska from northwest-to-southeast on this Monday afternoon and evening. m.
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.
Two separate rounds of mostly non-severe thunderstorms swept through South Central Nebraska from northwest-to-southeast on this Monday afternoon and evening. During the first round, one storm briefly pulsed up to severe levels over Polk County around 4:30 p.m. CDT, as estimated 60 MPH winds felled a large tree branch onto an attached garage in Osceola. Elsewhere in the area, a few near-severe-criteria storm reports included: 54 MPH gusts near Oxford (during the second round of storms), 52 MPH at York airport and penny to nickel size hail in Fillmore County.
The first round of isolated to scattered convection affected mainly the northeastern one-third of the local area (primarily east of a Greeley-Aurora-Hebron line), first entering counties such as Greeley/Nance between 3-4 p.m. CDT and exiting Fillmore/Thayer counties between 6-7 p.m. CDT. Meanwhile, the second round of storms arrived a bit later and farther west (mainly affecting areas southwest of a Loup City-Hastings-Superior line), entering Dawson/Buffalo counties between 5:30-6:30 p.m. CDT and exiting southward into Kansas between 8-9 p.m. CDT. Long before reaching South Central Nebraska, both rounds of convection initiated well to the north-northwest (near the NE-SD border) early in the afternoon. This was a fairly classic northwest-flow-aloft event, as the Central Plains resided within the path of several small-scale disturbances tracking southeastward around the periphery of a larger-scale trough centered over south central Canada. Despite only modest low-level moisture in the wake of a secondary cold front, this convection made the most of steep low-level lapse rates and seasonably-cool mid level temps, with mid-late afternoon mesoscale parameters in South Central Nebraska featuring 1000-1500 J/kg mixed-layer CAPE and 25-35 knots of deep-layer wind shear.
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 Jun 22, 11:57 AM CST, 3 hours 23 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Hastings NE 1257 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 .UPDATE... Issued at 1255 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 No major changes to morning thinking regarding tstm potential this aftn/early eve. SCT CU are developing in earnest this aftn and based on latest sat/hi-res trends would expect to start seeing some returns around 19Z or so - relatively early in the diurnal cycle, but convective temps on 12Z LBF/OAX roabs are only 78F/82F, respectively. Severe threat still looks pretty marginal given mid level lapse rates near or less than 7C/km, effective shear 25-30kt (maybe 35kt in spots), and CAPE values generally 1000-1500 J/kg per latest SPC mesoanalysis and 12Z HREF. Perhaps this will be enough for some penny to quarter size hail in strongest cells. Mesoanalysis and forecast soundings show very steep low level lapse rates, DCAPE near 1000 J/kg, and T/Td spreads likely approaching ~25F by peak heating, suggesting some potential for iso damaging downburst winds, as well. Thus, overall convective outlook appears to be on track and the latest thoughts from SPC are outlined in MCD 966. Convective threat should rapidly decr from NW to SE 22Z to 01Z, in line with HRRR sim ref trends. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 342 AM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 Overall shower activity is diminishing this morning as the latest wave departs. Developing stratus over the CWA is noted as high clouds depart. Still some signs that we could get some popup showers this morning. I am reluctant to pull out slight POPs for showers this morning, but satellite trends reveal an overall subsidence upstream that should tamp down shower activity, at least later this morning. However, there does appear to be some developing low-mid level stratus as cirrus clears as showers develop. Will probably have to increase sky cover and leave showers in. Cyclonic northwest flow aloft this afternoon with yet another perturbation passing through will give us another chance of some convection as a reinforcing cold front pushes through. The best chances for storms will be in the northeast where better forcing will occur. Deep layer shear will be modest in the 25 to 35 kt range with MLCAPE pushing 1500+ J/kg this afternoon. Main threats would be marginally severe hail and wind. Guidance seems to have a decent handle on temperatures and I will not deviate a whole lot from this. A blend of NBM and CONSshort seems appropriate. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 342 AM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 Cyclonic northwest flow continues as another perturbation will pass through. Any clouds will have high bases and a surface high nearby will help tamp down any measurable precipitation. The surface high will probably help cutoff much of any moisture return. Late Tuesday night into Wednesday a warm front will return as the surface high retreats east. Ahead of the warm front, we stand a chance of some thunderstorm activity as the elevated instability axis moves east. The instability axis could still be hanging around by Wednesday afternoon and evening. Early model data suggest that severe parameters would be enough to support at least marginally severe weather. This will depend on synoptic lift, and low-level convergence along the instability axis, and the placement of the axis. Mid-level shortwave ridging should keep Thursday/Thursday night dry. Then more on and off chances of rain/thunder for the rest of the long term. The forecast will probably look wetter than reality as we rely more on ensemble means as operational models are having a bit of trouble with consistency and agreement. Ensembles suggest a more zonal flow with multiple low-amplitude perturbations within west flow, perhaps becoming a bit more southwest in response to a developing trough over the west coast. Fairly typical summer temps are expected in the 80s/90s for highs. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Tuesday) Issued at 1245 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 Significant wx: Possibly an iso tstm that lasts 30-60 min this aftn. Rest of today: VFR. SCT CU are already developing and some of these will develop into iso tstms after 19Z. Coverage looks to be too isolated to have confidence one of these will actually impact the terminals, thus continued the VCTS, for now, through about 00Z to 01Z. Winds will be northerly 10-12kt, with gusts ~18kt. Some higher gusts will be possible near any tstms. Confidence: general trend - high, tstm impact - low. Tonight thru 18Z Tue: VFR. Sky cover and winds will decr this eve w/ loss of daytime heating. The next batch of SCT clds with bases around 5-6K ft will move in toward dawn. Can't completely rule out an iso shwr out of these, but confidence/coverage too low to include attm. Winds will be lgt out of the WNW/NW. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...NONE. KS...NONE. && UPDATE...Thies SHORT TERM...Heinlein LONG TERM...Heinlein AVIATION...Thies
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 257 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 231200- 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- 257 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are possible mainly through 8 pm and northeast of a line from Kearney Nebraska to Beloit Kansas. The main threats include hail up to the size of quarters and wind gusts up to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. A few weak, pop up thundershowers are possible for portions of the outlook area Tuesday afternoon. Thunderstorm chances return during the overnight Tuesday night, with slightly better chances Wednesday afternoon and evening. Strong to marginally severe storms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening south of Interstate 80 in south central Nebraska, and across all of north central Kansas. The main threats include hail up to the size of quarters and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Off and on thunderstorms are forecast Thursday afternoon through Sunday. Strong thunderstorms are possible at times, so be sure to stay up to date on the latest forecast. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed northeast of a line from Kearney Nebraska to Beloit Kansas through 8 pm. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Thies
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Hastings NE 313 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NEZ049-063-064-222045- Hamilton NE-York NE-Polk NE- 313 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... At 313 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Hordville, or 19 miles northwest of York, moving southeast at 15 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Hordville. 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 4107 9794 4112 9787 4106 9768 4096 9781 TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 304DEG 12KT 4107 9787 Pfannkuch
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
320 PM CDT MON JUN 22 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0310 PM HAIL HORDVILLE 41.08N 97.89W
06/22/2020 E0.50 INCH HAMILTON NE PUBLIC
SMALL HAIL.
&&
PFANNKUCHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
324 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
NEZ039>041-222100-
Valley NE-Nance NE-Greeley NE-
324 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR GREELEY...NORTHWESTERN NANCE AND
NORTHEASTERN VALLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM CDT...
At 324 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Spalding to 7 miles south of Ericson.
Movement was southeast at 30 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Greeley, Spalding, Scotia, Wolbach and Belgrade.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms 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 4172 9829 4148 9829 4148 9810 4149 9810
4151 9799 4140 9786 4141 9873 4174 9886
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 329DEG 26KT 4167 9830 4168 9872
PfannkuchSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
353 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
NEZ040-041-047>049-063-222130-
Merrick NE-Hamilton NE-Nance NE-Howard NE-Greeley NE-Polk NE-
353 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN GREELEY...NANCE...
MERRICK...POLK AND NORTHEASTERN HOWARD COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 353 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Monroe to Fullerton to Wolbach. Movement
was southeast at 45 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Central City, Fullerton, Stromsburg, Genoa, Osceola, Shelby, Palmer,
Clarks, Silver Creek, Wolbach, Belgrade, Cushing and Archer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms 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 4112 9762 4110 9829 4148 9852 4151 9829
4148 9829 4148 9810 4149 9810 4150 9804
4151 9804 4151 9789 4153 9788 4152 9770
4140 9770 4139 9760 4133 9760 4137 9744
4131 9737 4116 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 317DEG 38KT 4146 9763 4139 9797 4140 9840
PfannkuchSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
403 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
NEZ041-048-049-222130-
Merrick NE-Nance NE-Polk NE-
403 PM CDT Mon Jun 22 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN MERRICK AND
NORTHEASTERN POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 402 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Silver Creek, or 14 miles west of Columbus, moving southeast at 30
mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Silver Creek.
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 4121 9764 4138 9774 4140 9771 4140 9770
4139 9760 4133 9760 4134 9757 4136 9752
4137 9748 4125 9738
TIME...MOT...LOC 2102Z 322DEG 25KT 4135 9762
PfannkuchThe Omaha radar (KOAX), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:20 UTC.
2 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in small tree limbs being downed across Osceola, with a larger branch approximately 2 feet in diameter falling onto and damaging an attached garage on the far south side of town.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, June 2020
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: 901295, 901297, 904966.