Hail in Wyoming, July 19, 2020

Name: Hail in Wyoming, July 19, 2020
Start: 2020-07-19T17:46
End: 2020-07-19T20:14
Location: Wyoming

July 19, 2020 · NWS CYS · 12 events in 3 counties and zones

Very large hail reported with severe thunderstorms across southeast WYoming the afternoon and evening of 19 July 2020.

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: 12

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.

Very large hail reported with severe thunderstorms across southeast WYoming the afternoon and evening of 19 July 2020.

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 19, 4:31 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 19, 4:31 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
531 PM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

.SHORT TERM...(This afternoon - Tuesday Night)
Issued at 113 PM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop
across areas mainly along/east of the Laramie Range by mid to late
afternoon. Significant uncertainty exists with storm coverage over
the next several hours, mainly because of weak large scale forcing
with the primary mechanism being a stationary front draped from N-
S along the Laramie Range. Cumulus development has been limited so
far per afternoon visible satellite imagery, but excellent low-lvl
moisture transport is occurring with moist southeasterly flow over
the Platte River Valley contributing to dew points approaching 65F
at Torrington & Scottsbluff. We are likely a bit delayed for CI as
low-level cloud cover stuck around over the Neb Panhandle into the
late morning hours, but would expect initiation to occur by 21z as
convective temperatures are reached. The main area of interest may
be the central Laramie Range into the Platte River Valley with the
help of enhanced low-level convergence associated w/ the Chugwater
cyclone. Further south toward the CO border, a dryline bulge takes
shape just south of the surface low which may be another focus for
initiation in the next few hours. Any storms that develop over the
next few hours will be capable of all modes of severe weather. SPC
Mesoanalysis shows upwards of 2500 J/kg SBCAPEs in the warm sector
with 30+ knots of effective bulk shear. CAPEs also approach 800 J/
kg in the -10 to -30 deg C layer, further supporting potential for
large hail especially w/ any supercell structures. Backed near-sfc
flow is also contributing to curved low-level hodographs, possibly
supporting isolated tornado potential given fairly low LCLs around
1250 meters. This threat would be enhanced with any cell splits or
right movers. Storms may merge into one more linear complexes this
evening into late tonight as the low-level jet strengthens.

Daily chances for strong to severe thunderstorms will exist along/
east of the Laramie Range each afternoon through Tuesday given the
stationary boundary remaining in place.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday - Sunday)
Issued at 300 AM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

Upper level ridging still looks to be on track for the remainder
of the week from Wednesday onward. Model guidance still showing
agreement with warm air advection continually making the area warm
with southwest flow in the lower levels creating daytime maximum
700mb temps 14C-18C. While atmospheric ridging aloft continues
over the region, that certainly won't discount the opportunity for
moisture to be on slightly elevated over the area. Split flow at
the H5 and H3 levels show a cut off low near the California
coastline and more impressive height falls to the Pacific
Northwest associated with a upper level trough. The split flow
regime will continue from Wednesday to the weekend, allowing the
best energy to stay further to the north based off medium to long
range guidance. However, with the cut off low slowly propagating
to the east and northeast aloft, it will eventually be absorbed
into a more defined upper level trough at the 300mb level by 0Z
Saturday. With diffluent flow aloft, the possibility of
thunderstorm activity on the increase would need additional
surface moisture plumes from the continental region of Mexico,
Pacific Ocean moisture, and/or the Gulf of Mexico. Surface
convergence and instability look plausible from the model
guidance, however the most recent models are showing a slightly
more eastward surface High compared to the previous day. If our
area is to receive much needed rainfall across the region, this
more eastward track of the surface High pressure across the
central CONUS is a less favorable trend for our CWA in regard to
rainfall. Overall, monsoon flow will begin to approach the area
towards the end of the week, but we are not in the most favorable
pattern for continued impulses of moisture. This is represent with
PoPs up to 40 percent in the extended forecast package as of this
time. With the upper level ridging staying put, we can expect
temperatures to be warm the next week or so, with little relief of
cooler temperatures on the horizon.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening)
Issued at 524 PM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

Wyoming TAFS...VFR. Occasional thunderstorms at Cheyenne producing
wind gusts to 40 knots until 02Z. Thunderstorms in the vicinity at
Laramie until 02Z. Wind gusts to 35 knots until 05Z.

Nebraska TAFS...VFR at Chadron until 12Z, with occasional
thunderstorms producing MVFR and wind gusts to 45 knots until
03Z. MVFR from 12Z to 15Z, then VFR.

VFR at Alliance until 07Z, with occasional thunderstorms producing
MVFR and wind gusts to 45 knots until 03Z. MVFR from 07Z to 12Z,
then IFR until 15Z, then VFR.

VFR at Scottsbluff until 08Z, with occasional thunderstorms
producing MVFR and wind gusts to 45 knots until 02Z. MVFR from
08Z to 09Z, then IFR until 15Z, then VFR. Wind gusts to 20 knots
after 19Z Monday.

VFR at Sidney until 10Z, with occasional thunderstorms producing
MVFR and wind gusts to 45 knots until 03Z. IFR from 10Z to 16Z,
then VFR.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 300 AM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

Stationary front lays along a line from Riverton to Rawlins to
Craig Colorado this morning. The front will meander a little to
the east today to near the Laramie Range this afternoon. East of
the front...east to southeast upslope winds will keep humidity
high and provide chances for afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms. West of the front...drier and breezier conditions
will exist over the next several days. Monsoonal moisture will
interact with the front for good chances of wetting rains from the
Laramie Range east into the Panhandle through the upcoming week.
Fire weather concerns expected to be minimal.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...None.
NE...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...CLH
LONG TERM...BW
AVIATION...RUBIN
FIRE WEATHER...GCC

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 19, 4:27 AM MST, 13 hours 19 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
527 AM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101-102-107-108-118-119-
201130-
Dawes-Box Butte-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County-Morrill-
Kimball County-Cheyenne-North Sioux-South Sioux-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Laramie County-
East Laramie County-
527 AM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop
across the high plains this afternoon, possibly merging into one
or more clusters of storms tonight. A few storms may be severe,
with large hail up to golf ball size and wind gusts up to 60 MPH
the primary hazards. A tornado or two is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

Daily chances for afternoon and evening thunderstorms expected
east of the Laramie Range this upcoming week. Some of the storms
could become severe with large hail...damaging downburst winds and
heavy rainfall.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation may be needed first along the Interstate 25
Corridor after 2 PM. Spotter activation may be needed for the
Nebraska Panhandle from 4 PM through 7 PM this evening.

WYZ103>106-109>117-201130-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte 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-
527 AM MDT Sun Jul 19 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Wyoming and southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 19, 3:21 PM MST, 2 hours 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
421 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0338 PM     HAIL             15 S BUSHNELL           41.01N 103.89W
07/19/2020  E1.00 INCH       KIMBALL            NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

            49 MPH WIND GUST RECORDED AT 335 PM.

&&

RUBIN

Local storm report, Jul 19, 3:49 PM MST, 1 hour 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
449 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0440 PM     HAIL             2 E KIMBALL             41.23N 103.62W
07/19/2020  M1.00 INCH       KIMBALL            NE   PUBLIC

            NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT FOUR WINDS
            COUNTRY CLUB ON THE EAST SIDE OF KIMBALL.
            TIME ESTIMATED OFF OF RADAR.

&&

MB

Local storm report, Jul 19, 4:46 PM MST, 1 hour before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
546 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0545 PM     HAIL             5 SSE GERING            41.76N 103.63W
07/19/2020  E1.00 INCH       SCOTTS BLUFF       NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

RUBIN

Local storm report, Jul 19, 4:50 PM MST, 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
550 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0550 PM     HAIL             GERING                  41.83N 103.67W
07/19/2020  E2.00 INCH       SCOTTS BLUFF       NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

RUBIN

Local storm report, Jul 19, 5:03 PM MST, 43 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
603 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0602 PM     HAIL             1 WNW MINATARE          41.82N 103.52W
07/19/2020  M1.75 INCH       SCOTTS BLUFF       NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

Local storm report, Jul 19, 5:05 PM MST, 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
605 PM MDT SUN JUL 19 2020

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

0604 PM     HAIL             W MINATARE              41.81N 103.50W
07/19/2020  M2.00 INCH       SCOTTS BLUFF       NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 188 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:47 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 hail, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Converse

When: July 19, 5:46 PM MST to 5:51 PM MST
Where: Converse County, 19.92 mi NE of Bill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.400, -104.950

Funnel Cloud, Converse

When: July 19, 6:30 PM MST to 6:33 PM MST
Where: Converse County, 4.86 mi N of Lost Springs
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.840, -104.920

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 6:45 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 0.69 mi S of Lance Creek
Measured: 4.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.020, -104.640

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 6:49 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 0.69 mi S of Lance Creek
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.020, -104.640

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 7:15 PM MST to 7:30 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 0.69 mi S of Lusk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.750, -104.450

Observer noted shredded leaves with property damage to home and car from falling hail. Damage included car dents, shingles loosened and broken house windows.

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 7:37 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, Lusk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.760, -104.450

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 7:40 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, Lusk
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 42.760, -104.450

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 7:54 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 6.72 mi SSW of (Lsk)lusk Airport
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.660, -104.450

Observer reported the hailstones falling along U.S. 20 highway from Lusk to 7 miles south of Lusk.

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 7:57 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 8.01 mi SSW of (Lsk)lusk Airport
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.640, -104.450

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 9.12 mi S of (Lsk)lusk Airport
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.620, -104.434

Hail, Niobrara

When: July 19, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Niobrara County, 5.55 mi S of Node
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.640, -104.290

Hail, Goshen

When: July 19, 8:14 PM MST
Where: Goshen County, 2.84 mi NNE of Jay Em
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.500, -104.358

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wyoming in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Wyoming, July 2020

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: 897020, 897017, 897021, 897022, 897025, 897031, 897036, 897039, 897040, 897045, 897048, 897050.