Two rounds of severe thunderstorms swept across western and north central Nebraska spanning the evening and early overnight hours with recorded wind speeds in excess of 70 mph.
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 LBF wrote it up.
Two rounds of severe thunderstorms swept across western and north central Nebraska spanning the evening and early overnight hours with recorded wind speeds in excess of 70 mph.
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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 9, 5:29 PM CST, 2 hours 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 629 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 321 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 Obvious trigger for severe storm development is moving through WY this afternoon. Storm activity is firing on the Laramie Range and moving east and southeast. The Bunkers storm motion in the NAM and RAP models backed by the HRRR and NAMdng models suggests a southeast storm motion toward Interstate 80. Meanwhile, the model consensus however suggested activity would develop on the Pine Ridge and move through the Sandhills. This could still happen given the developing cumulus field in that area. Given the very strong shear, 0-6km and 0-8km of 50 kts to 75 kts, very large hail is the concern where ever storms develop. The NAM soundings also show a pocket of dry air forming in the low to midlevels of the atmosphere which would support strong winds, perhaps coincident with the hail. Such was the case across wrn SD Thursday evening with an isolated storm which produced 2"+ hail and 60 to 70 mph winds. The very strong shear which results in Bulk Richardson number of 50 or less across wrn Nebraska could limit the severe storm coverage to isolated coverage with one or two discrete storms, but this is difficult to predict. The severe weather parameters, including an increase in CAPE, suggest upscale growth near and east of highway 83 this evening. SPC suggested a 2 percent tornado risk across wrn Nebraska and this is based on a very modest warm sector opening up across the Cheyenne divide and perhaps parts of the Pine Ridge as suggested the RAP model. The low level vorticity along the warm front combined with stretching caused by daytime heating could potentially support tornado development. There is also the prospect of a second or third round of thunderstorms developing late this evening and overnight before all of the storms exit east by 12z Saturday. A check on the elevated instability in the NAM and RAP soundings, suggests the potential for a few additional severe storms capable of large hail. The elevated CAPE in these models varies from over 3000 J/KG in the RAP to less than 2000 J/KG in the NAM. This instability and the very strong shear is concerning. Thus, the potential for early evening severe weather is obvious but the prospect of overnight severe weather is uncertain. The models are in very good agreement forming a cut-off low across Iowa Saturday. The NAM shows elevated instability along and east of highway 83; around 1000 J/KG of CAPE which should support thunderstorms with the potential for small-subsevere hail. The loss of daytime heating Saturday evening should cause most of the this rain activity to dissipate. The thunderstorm forecast tonight uses the short term model blend plus the HRRR and NAMdng. This forecast attempts to drive the thunderstorm chances south toward and south of Interstate 80 as suggested by the HRRR and NAMdng. The short term model blend is farther north across the Sandhills. The short term model blend was the basis for the shower and thunderstorm chances across ncntl Nebraska Saturday. This rain is associated with cold air aloft from the developing upper level low across Iowa. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 321 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 The next chance for organized thunderstorms development appears to be Tuesday night but the models have slowed the arrival of an upper level disturbance moving through the nrn Plains by perhaps 6 hours. This disturbance would present the best thunderstorm chances Tuesday evening and overnight across SD and nrn Nebraska. Winds aloft at h500mb-300mb increase to 30 to 50kts, dew points rise into the lower 60s and the GFS suggested precipitable water around 1 inch ahead of the storms. Chance POPs are in place for this system with the best rain chance across nrn Nebraska. Otherwise, the forecast is dry except for isolated thunderstorm chances. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 629 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 The main weather concern over the next day will be the potential for thunderstorms across all of western and north central Nebraska. Thunderstorm development is currently ongoing across the Panhandle and will track south and east over the remainder of the evening and overnight. Some of these storms will have the potential for very large hail, damaging winds, and locally heavy rainfall. Visibility restrictions will likely occur at both sites this evening. Rain showers will continue into Saturday morning with some patchy fog as well. Additional restrictions down to 4 miles may be possible due to fog. Conditions will slowly improve by Saturday afternoon returning to VFR at KLBF by late afternoon. Ceilings remain near 4000 feet at KVTN through the afternoon. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...CDC LONG TERM...CDC AVIATION...Kulik
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service North Platte NE 318 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-102030- Sheridan-Eastern Cherry-Keya Paha-Boyd-Brown-Rock-Holt-Garden- Grant-Hooker-Thomas-Blaine-Loup-Garfield-Wheeler-Arthur-McPherson- Logan-Custer-Deuel-Keith-Perkins-Lincoln-Chase-Hayes-Frontier- Western Cherry- 318 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 /218 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central Nebraska. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. Thunderstorms will develop in the Panhandle late this afternoon and track southeast into western and north central Nebraska this evening into the overnight. Some storms may be severe with very large hail (3 inches in diameter or greater), damaging winds (greater than 75 mph), and localized heavy rainfall (1-2 inches). .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. Thunderstorms are possible Saturday, but the threat for severe storms is low. An active pattern is expected Tuesday night through Thursday with a threat for thunderstorms each day. At this time, the threat for severe storms is uncertain. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon into the evening hours. && Get your weather, hydrological, and climate information at http://www.weather.gov/northplatte
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service North Platte NE 749 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 NEZ008-026-027-100115- Brown NE-Loup NE-Blaine NE- 749 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL LOUP...SOUTH CENTRAL BROWN AND EASTERN BLAINE COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM CDT... At 749 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles northwest of Brewster, moving southeast at 30 mph. Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Brewster, Hawley Flats and Almeria Meadow State Wildlife Management Area. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for north central Nebraska. LAT...LON 4201 10014 4217 10001 4199 9953 4175 9980 TIME...MOT...LOC 0049Z 301DEG 27KT 4205 9999 CDC
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
806 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021
NEZ024-025-035>037-100130-
Hooker NE-Arthur NE-McPherson NE-Thomas NE-Logan NE-
806 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL ARTHUR...
SOUTHEASTERN HOOKER...NORTHERN LOGAN...MCPHERSON AND SOUTHWESTERN
THOMAS COUNTIES UNTIL 830 PM CDT/730 PM MDT/...
At 805 PM CDT/705 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles southwest of
Thedford to 12 miles south of Mullen to 15 miles east of Arthur.
Movement was southeast at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Tryon, Highway 83 crossing The Dismal River, Flatts, Big Lamunyon
Flats, East Cody Lake, Bucktail Lake, Brown Lake, Sand Beach Lake,
Highway 97 crossing the Dismal River, Diamond Bar Lake, Bucktail,
Schnick Lake and Shimmons Lake.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 92 between mile markers 178 and 208.
Highway 97 between mile markers 26 and 57.
Highway 83 between mile markers 122 and 136.
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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900
PM MDT/ for north central and west central Nebraska.
LAT...LON 4162 10027 4160 10072 4141 10109 4142 10145
4171 10144 4190 10107 4191 10066
TIME...MOT...LOC 0105Z 318DEG 38KT 4186 10070 4186 10101 4166 10141
CDCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
811 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021
NEZ009-026>028-038-100145-
Loup NE-Custer NE-Garfield NE-Rock NE-Blaine NE-
811 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN ROCK...LOUP...WEST
CENTRAL GARFIELD...NORTH CENTRAL CUSTER AND SOUTHEASTERN BLAINE
COUNTIES UNTIL 845 PM CDT...
At 809 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Rose to 8 miles east of Brewster to 8
miles southeast of Dunning. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Taylor, Anselmo, Rose, Victoria Springs, Calamus Reservoir, Lillian,
Milburn, Fox Bayou, Almeria Meadow, Walworth, Hannamon Bayou
Campground, Kent Diversion Dam State Wildlife Management Area,
Linscott, Horseshoe Bend Lake, Almeria, Nunda Shoal Campground,
Valley View Flat Campground and Gates.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 183 between mile markers 119 and 154.
Highway 2 between mile markers 241 and 257.
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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
central and north central Nebraska.
LAT...LON 4206 9917 4176 9925 4153 9969 4176 10014
4195 9981 4209 9965 4220 9962
TIME...MOT...LOC 0109Z 292DEG 40KT 4218 9958 4192 9970 4178 9996
CDCSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service North Platte NE 830 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 NEZ009-010-027-028-100215- Loup NE-Holt NE-Garfield NE-Rock NE- 830 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN ROCK...NORTHEASTERN LOUP...NORTHWESTERN GARFIELD AND SOUTHWESTERN HOLT COUNTIES UNTIL 915 PM CDT... At 830 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles east of Rose, or 28 miles north of Taylor, moving east at 35 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Rose, Amelia and Carson Lake. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for north central Nebraska. LAT...LON 4213 9958 4230 9954 4224 9889 4195 9905 TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 278DEG 29KT 4218 9934 Roberg
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service North Platte NE 831 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 NEZ036-037-059-100200- McPherson NE-Lincoln NE-Logan NE- 831 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN... SOUTHWESTERN LOGAN AND SOUTHEASTERN MCPHERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CDT... At 831 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles west of Tryon, moving southeast at 30 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Tryon and Ringgold. This includes the following highways... Highway 92 between mile markers 194 and 219. Highway 97 between mile markers 9 and 35. Highway 83 between mile markers 99 and 106. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southwestern and west central Nebraska. LAT...LON 4150 10125 4163 10099 4134 10040 4126 10116 TIME...MOT...LOC 0131Z 300DEG 37KT 4155 10112 CDC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service North Platte NE 845 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 NEZ038-100215- Custer NE- 845 PM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL CUSTER COUNTY UNTIL 915 PM CDT... At 844 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, or 12 miles northwest of Broken Bow, moving southeast at 25 mph. Dime size hail will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Broken Bow, Merna and Weissert. This includes the following highways... Highway 183 near mile marker 101. Highway 2 between mile markers 262 and 284. Highway 92 between mile markers 271 and 273. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central Nebraska. LAT...LON 4157 9985 4162 9973 4144 9936 4128 9974 TIME...MOT...LOC 0144Z 318DEG 22KT 4156 9974 CDC
The North Platte radar (KLNX), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:45 UTC.
24 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported a pole barn destroyed. Wind speeds were estimated around 70 mph.
Public reported a tin roof blown off a mobile home. Winds were estimated around 70 mph.
A trained spotter estimated 70 mph winds and reported significant blowing dust ahead of the thunderstorm.
Public reported fertilizer tanks blown over, a giant corn silo caved in, and large tree branches downed. Winds were estimated around 80 mph.
Public reported a trailer knocked off its block and small tree branches downed.
Public reported roof damage in North Platte. Winds were estimated at least 60 mph.
A weather station measured 67 mph wind gusts.
A weather station measured a 68 mph wind gust.
The ASOS at North Platte Airport (KLBF) recorded a 71 mph wind gust.
A weather station measured 78 mph wind gust and public reported shingles torn off a building and large tree limbs downed.
A cooperative weather observer estimated winds of at least 70 mph and reported trees bent over and a loss of power.
The RAWS station at Crescent Lake measured a 69 mph wind gust.
A trained weather spotter reported several uprooted trees and windmill damage. Winds are estimated at 70 mph.
A weather station measured a 66 mph wind gust.
A trained weather spotter reported a downed large tree about 2 feet in diameter.
An off duty NWS employee reported shutters ripped off a building. Winds were estimated at least 60 mph.
The ASOS at North Platte Airport (KLBF) recorded a 68 mph wind gust.
A trained weather spotter reported several uprooted trees near North Platte. Winds are estimated of at least 60 mph.
An off duty NWS employee reported large tree branches downed. Winds are estimated at least 60 mph.
The ASOS at North Platte Airport (KLBF) measured sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts to 69 mph on the backside of the thunderstorm complex.
An off duty NWS employee reported a 200 lb trampoline blown about a half block away. Winds are estimated at least 60 mph.
A large steel dumpster was blown over at WFO North Platte with estimated winds of at least 60 mph.
An off duty NWS employee reported multiple large tree limbs down on the east side of North Platte. Winds are estimated at least 60 mph.
An off duty NWS employee reported large trees downed at Cody Park in North Platte. Winds are estimated at least 60 mph.
Public reported flooded roads and basements in Stapleton.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, July 2021
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: 967238, 967240, 967241, 967243, 967245, 967246, 967247, 967248, 967249, 967250, 967251, 967252, 967254, 967255, 967256, 967257, 967258, 967259, 967260, 967261, 967262, 967263, 967264, 967266, 967267.