Hail in Nebraska, September 5, 2021

Name: Hail in Nebraska, September 5, 2021
Start: 2021-09-05T01:40
End: 2021-09-05T06:45
Location: Nebraska

September 5, 2021 · NWS LBF · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

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: $10,000
Events: 3

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 LBF wrote it up.

Isolated thunderstorms developed along a surface trough of low pressure in the southern Panhandle and northeastern Colorado during the late evening hours of September 4th. As this activity transitioned east, some storms became severe with hail up to the size of quarters. Additional storms became severe over north central Nebraska with golf ball sized hail being reported around daybreak on September 5th.

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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 4, 10:36 PM MST, 3 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 4, 10:36 PM MST, 3 hours 4 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1236 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night)
Issued at 219 PM CDT Sat Sep 4 2021

In the short term, the main focus is the chance for thunderstorms
late tonight/tomorrow morning.

Sfc high pressure currently resides across the Central Great Plains.
A disturbance in the flow is located over eastern WY (as of 15Z).
This disturbance is expected to move through western Nebraska late
tonight/ early tomorrow and provide lift for thunderstorms. In terms
of moisture, dwpts are in the upper 50s to lower 60s, with PWATs
around an inch (avg). So this moisture is modest, but possible for
storms when given enough lift. In terms of instability, there is a
moderate amount as well. MUCAPE looks to be around 1000-1500 J/kg,
and lapse rates have steepened to 7.5+C/km. Additionally, SRH values
are around 150m2/s2. As such, there is enough instability for storms
to ignite tonight. The one limitation: capping. There is a decent
cap across Western Neb that storms will have to overcome first. As
such, not expecting anything widespread, nor to enter the severe
category. Potentially strong winds and small hail at best.

Once the disturbance moves out, h85 temps near 24C will mix to the
sfc and allow for highs in the 80s. Light winds and mostly clear
skies are expected to accompany this, making for a nice pre-labor
day day.

.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 219 PM CDT Sat Sep 4 2021

The long term looks pretty quiet ATTM. An upper level high pressure
system is centered generally over the central west coast. Its extent
doesn't quite reach Nebraska, leaving the state in northwesterly
flow aloft. Monday AM, there will be a sfc low centered over south
central Canada. As this system moves SE, it will push a cold front
through the area Monday evening and into the overnight. This will
allow for lows that are a bit "cooler" Tuesday afternoon in its
wake...in the upper 70s to lower 80s. No precip is expected as there
seems to be a lack of moisture.

Beyond that, the UL ridge looks to expand north and east, reaching
over Nebraska by Th/Fri. As it works in, it will allow for warmer
highs, and reaching into the 90s again come Thursday.

All in all, subsidence from this high pressure system looks to keep
the area dry into the long term forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday night)
Issued at 1236 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

VFR conditions expected to largely prevail through tomorrow
night. Thunderstorms are possible after 08/09Z generally along
and southeast of a ANW to LBF line. Confidence remains somewhat
low in direct impact at LBF, so will continue VCTS mention for
now, and will monitor trends for possible TSRA inclusion later.
Brief MVFR CIGs/visibilities will be possible inside any
convection before it exits off to the east by late morning.
Widespread VFR will prevail after this, with winds gradually
shifting from southerly to northerly through the afternoon, at
around 5 to 10kts.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Sinclair
LONG TERM...Sinclair
AVIATION...Brown

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 4, 12:47 PM MST, 12 hours 53 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
247 PM CDT Sat Sep 4 2021

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-052000-
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-
247 PM CDT Sat Sep 4 2021 /147 PM MDT Sat Sep 4 2021/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and
north central Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms may affect portions of western
and north central Nebraska late tonight, mainly after midnight.
The threat of severe weather appears low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Remnant thunderstorms are possible Sunday morning over north
central Nebraska, clearing out by midday. The threat of severe
weather is low.

Precipitation chances beyond Sunday are minimal.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

Get your weather, hydrological, and climate information at
http://www.weather.gov/northplatte

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 4, 11:10 PM MST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
110 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ008-009-027-050700-
Brown NE-Loup NE-Rock NE-
110 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Rock,
north central Loup and southeastern Brown Counties through 200 AM
CDT...

At 109 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Rose, or 17 miles northeast of Brewster, moving
southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Rose, Fox Bayou, Duff and Johnsons Corner.

This includes Highway 183 between mile markers 142 and 156.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 4218 9984 4227 9974 4215 9933 4197 9947
TIME...MOT...LOC 0609Z 307DEG 17KT 4217 9972

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Roberg

Special weather statement, Sep 4, 11:52 PM MST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
152 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ027-028-038-050730-
Loup NE-Custer NE-Garfield NE-
152 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Loup,
Garfield and northeastern Custer Counties through 230 AM CDT...

At 151 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, or 11 miles northwest of
Burwell, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Burwell, Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, Fox Bayou,
Homestead Knolls Campground, Virginia Smith Dam, Horseshoe Bend Lake,
Hannamon Bayou Campground, Nunda Shoal Campground, Deverre, Valley
View Flat Campground and Kent Diversion Dam State Wildlife Management
Area.

This includes Highway 183 between mile markers 129 and 147.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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.

If on or near Calamus Reservoir, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4174 9926 4208 9967 4208 9924 4186 9877
      4174 9877
TIME...MOT...LOC 0651Z 308DEG 19KT 4193 9923

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Roberg

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 12:26 AM MST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
126 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ022-057-050815-
Garden NE-Keith NE-
126 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Arthur,
northwestern Keith and southeastern Garden Counties through 215 AM
MDT...

At 125 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lemoyne, or 14 miles northwest of Ogallala, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lewellen, Lemoyne, Keystone, Kingsley Dam, Ash Hollow State
Historical Park, Eagle Gulch Campground, Ruthon, Belmar, Clear Creek
State Wildlife Management Area, Bluewater Battlefield State
Historical Park, Otter Creek Campground and Lake View Campground.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 94 and 109.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 115 and 138.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

If on or near Lake McConaughy, get out of the water and move indoors
or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4125 10209 4141 10222 4139 10190 4138 10145
      4115 10156
TIME...MOT...LOC 0725Z 273DEG 21KT 4130 10187

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Roberg

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 12:39 AM MST, 1 hour 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
239 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ009-027-028-050830-
Loup NE-Garfield NE-Rock NE-
239 AM CDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Rock,
northeastern Loup and Garfield Counties through 330 AM CDT...

At 238 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northwest of Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, or 14
miles north of Taylor, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Burwell, Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, Fox Bayou,
Homestead Knolls Campground, Virginia Smith Dam, Horseshoe Bend Lake,
Hannamon Bayou Campground, Nunda Shoal Campground, Deverre, Valley
View Flat Campground and Kent Diversion Dam State Wildlife Management
Area.

This includes Highway 183 between mile markers 128 and 148.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Persons in campgrounds on Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area
should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 4208 9966 4209 9946 4208 9924 4186 9877
      4174 9876 4175 9930
TIME...MOT...LOC 0738Z 302DEG 22KT 4197 9939

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Roberg

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 1:13 AM MST, 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
213 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ035-057-050900-
Arthur NE-Keith NE-
213 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Arthur and
northern Keith Counties through 300 AM MDT...

At 212 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lemoyne, or 17 miles northwest of Ogallala, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lemoyne, Keystone, Kingsley Dam, Belmar, Nevens, Broganville, McKeag,
Otter Creek Campground and Big Bald Hill.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 93 and 118.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 126 and 138.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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.

Persons in campgrounds on Lake McConaughy should consider seeking
sturdy shelter until this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 4131 10194 4140 10198 4154 10198 4147 10152
      4138 10139 4112 10138 4117 10169
TIME...MOT...LOC 0812Z 279DEG 19KT 4134 10190

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Roberg

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 1:26 AM MST, 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
226 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

NEZ035-050915-
Arthur NE-
226 AM MDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Arthur
County through 315 AM MDT...

At 226 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Arthur, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Arthur, Haythorn Lake, Jensen Lake, Bucktail Lake, Three Mile Lake,
Velma, Bucktail and Calora.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 119 and 134.
 Highway 92 between mile markers 165 and 179.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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 4163 10190 4171 10174 4165 10141 4140 10141
      4151 10174
TIME...MOT...LOC 0826Z 302DEG 17KT 4161 10169

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Roberg

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 117 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:39 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Arthur

When: September 5, 1:40 AM MST
Where: Arthur County, 9.64 mi SW of Arthur
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.470, -101.830

Time was estimated by radar.

Hail, Arthur

When: September 5, 2:30 AM MST
Where: Arthur County, 0.52 mi E of Arthur
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.570, -101.690

Time was estimated by radar.

Hail, Holt

When: September 5, 6:45 AM CST
Where: Holt County, 10.01 mi NE of (Onl)o Neill Arpt
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.590, -98.570

Golf ball sized hail resulted in crop and tree damage at this location.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, September 2021

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: 983323, 983324, 983325.