Tornadoes and Hail in Nebraska, April 12, 2022

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Nebraska, April 12, 2022
Start: 2022-04-12T17:30
End: 2022-04-12T20:54
Location: Nebraska

April 12, 2022 · NWS OAX · 27 events in 16 counties and zones

A deepening midlevel trough over the central Rockies advected north an unstable airmass into Nebraska and Iowa. Storms initiated to the northeast of the triple point leading to two tornadoes and numerous hail and strong wind gusts.

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: 27

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 OAX wrote it up.

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 Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 12, 5:28 PM CST, 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 12, 5:28 PM CST, 2 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
628 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

...Updated Aviation Forecast Discussion...

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 331 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

Water vapor imagery was showing a deep trof crossing the northern
Rockies approaching the western Dakotas. Surface reflection has
deepened significantly since yesterday and is currently centered
over south-central SD with an associated warm front extending into
southeast SD and southwest MN. Another attendant warm front extended
into north-central NE to about northwest MO. Daytime heating and
moisture advection has allowed the environment to become quite
unstable behind the southern boundary with MLCAPE around 3000
J/kg over eastern KS and moderate instability nosing up through
the CWA.

Timing and placement of storm initiation is somewhat uncertain.
At this point the short term models have been progressively
pushing the warm front northward as the surface low lifts to the
northeast. As of now it appears the aforementioned southern
boundary should be straddling the SD/NE by late this afternoon
and be the focus for storm initiation. As of now, the latest HRRR
is pointing toward extreme southeast SD for initiation in vicinity
of the triple point, but depending on boundary position cannot
rule out some cell initiation somewhere over extreme northeast NE.

The bottom line is that combination of instability, strengthening
low level jet, significant deep layer and low level environmental
shear will be quite supportive for discrete storm formation early
on. There is a distinct possibility for tornadic supercells as
well as effective shear pushes 50kt along with ESRH values 200-300
m2/s2. And with very steep mid layer lapse rates atop increasing
low level moisture large hail will likely accompany a few storms.

Early this evening, storm mode will shift in response to a cold
front moving through the CWA. As the front pushes south, low level
convergence along the boundary will allow storms to transition to
linear mode/QLCS with the primary threat becoming straight line
winds generally south of the I-80 corridor. Storm activity should
be coming to an end after midnight.

On Wednesday, subsidence behind the exiting cold front will equate
to dry but windy conditions. Heading into this weekend then zonal
flow aloft with no major disturbances migrating through will equate
to dry conditions.

Sunday through Monday morning upper impulses will aid with
possible precip. As a matter of fact, there is a chance that there
may be a mix of rain and snow Sunday night.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening)
Issued at 608 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

Main concern is the potential for a line of thunderstorms to move
through KLNK and KOMA in the first few hours of the TAF cycle.
Winds could gust to severe limits with the passage of these
storms. In addition, low-level wind shear is expected in the first
few hours of the TAF period as well. Otherwise, northwest winds
behind an approching cold front are expected to gust to near 30kt
through the overnight hours associated with the exiting system.
VFR conditions are expected through the period with the exception
of in and around thunderstorms.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday
     evening for NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>052-065-
     066-078-088-089.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for NEZ011-012-015>018-
     030>034-042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093.

     Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for NEZ030-042-050-
     065-078-088.

IA...Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday
     evening for IAZ043-055.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for IAZ043-055-056-069-
     079-080-090-091.

&&

DISCUSSION...DEE
AVIATION...KERN

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 12, 2:52 PM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
352 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

IAZ043-NEZ011-012-015-017-018-033-034-131100-
Monona-Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Pierce-Wayne-Cuming-Burt-
352 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of west central
Iowa...east central Nebraska and northeast Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Wednesday

The combination of strong instability and environmental shear
will be very favorable for thunderstorm activity late this
afternoon and early evening. Primary hazards will be large hail
and damaging winds. There is a strong possibility that storms may
produce a few tornadoes.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory remains in effect until midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday night through Tuesday

Northwest wind are forecast to gust around 40 mph at times
Wednesday and Thursday. This in combination with low relative
humidity will likely lead to very high to extreme fire danger
conditions, especially in areas that receive very little to no
rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Storm spotters may be needed this evening.

IAZ055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ016-030>032-042>045-050>053-
065>068-078-088>093-131100-
Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-
Antelope-Boone-Madison-Stanton-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-
Butler-Saunders-Douglas-Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-
Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson-
352 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest
Iowa...east central Nebraska...northeast Nebraska and southeast
Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Wednesday

There is a chance for thunderstorms this evening, some of which
could be strong to severe with the primary threat being damaging
winds and large hail.

South winds gusting in the 35 to 45 mph range and low relative
humidity this afternoon will lead to very high to extreme fire
danger conditions, especially along and west of a line from Albion
to Creston to Diller through early evening.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory remains in effect till midnight over
extreme southeast Nebraska.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday night through Tuesday

Northwest wind are forecast to gust around 40 mph at times
Wednesday and Thursday. This in combination with low relative
humidity will likely lead to very high to extreme fire danger
conditions, especially in areas that receive very little to no
rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Storm spotters may be needed this evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 12, 4:44 PM CST, 46 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
544 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

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

0536 PM     HAIL             3 W UTE                 42.05N 95.77W
04/12/2022  E0.88 INCH       MONONA             IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BLB

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: April 12, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 2.07 mi N of Bay State
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.500, -96.830

Personal weather station measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

Tornado, Seward

When: April 12, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 2.09 mi NE of Beaver Crossing
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.800, -97.240

Trained spotters reported with video of a tornado that developed and moved across the region between 378 and 398 Road near O Street.

Hail, Dodge

When: April 12, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 1.69 mi WNW of Snyder
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 41.710, -96.830

Public reported 1.5 inch hail via social media.

Hail, Dodge

When: April 12, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, North Bend
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 41.470, -96.780

Public reported 1 inch hail via social media.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: April 12, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 2.81 mi S of Snyder
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.660, -96.790

Personal weather station measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saunders

When: April 12, 5:49 PM CST
Where: Saunders County, 3.4 mi ENE of Cedar Bluffs
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.420, -96.560

Personal weather station measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

Hail, Butler

When: April 12, 5:51 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Dwight
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 41.080, -97.020

Public reported 1 inch hail via social media.

Hail, Cuming

When: April 12, 5:51 PM CST
Where: Cuming County, 0.86 mi NE of West Pt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.840, -96.710

Law enforcement reported 1 inch hail.

Hail, Seward

When: April 12, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 0.52 mi W of Milford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.770, -97.060

Public reported quarter size hail.

Hail, Seward

When: April 12, 6:06 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 1.73 mi NW of Grover
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 40.800, -97.050

Public reported 1.5 inch hail via social media.

Hail, Saline

When: April 12, 6:11 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.52 mi E of Dorchester
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 40.650, -97.110

Public reported 1.25 inch hail via social media.

Hail, Lancaster

When: April 12, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Lancaster County, 4.39 mi WSW of Agnew
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.000, -96.910

CoCoRaHS observer reported 1.25 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When: April 12, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 2.21 mi WNW of Wilber Muni Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.480, -97.020

Personal weather station measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

Hail, Saunders

When: April 12, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Saunders County, 2.07 mi S of Wahoo
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.190, -96.620

NWS Employee reported 1 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Burt

When: April 12, 6:34 PM CST
Where: Burt County, 0.69 mi S of Tekamah Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.760, -96.180

Tekamah ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: April 12, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, 2.14 mi NNW of Waterloo
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.310, -96.310

Public reported a tree snapped off and vehicle windows blow out by a thunderstorm wind gust. Security camera footage confirms a gustnado that was not connected to the cloud base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: April 12, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, Bennington
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.370, -96.170

Public reported minor damage to limbs and roofing due to a thunderstorm wind gust enhanced by a gustnado.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 12, 6:49 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 5.36 mi WSW of Nashville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.400, -96.100

Public reported a play set destroyed, tree uprooted, damage to a greenhouse, grill blown over, and shingle damage to roof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 12, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 4.71 mi W of Nashville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.410, -96.090

Public reported panels blown off of a greenhouse, very old barn collapsed, and a large tree uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: April 12, 7:24 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, 0.86 mi NE of Benson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.310, -96.010

Omaha Eppley ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

Tornado, Otoe

When: April 12, 7:24 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Otoe County, 0.13 mi NNW of Unadilla to 0.18 mi NNE of Unadilla
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.09 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.682, -96.271

An EF1 tornado briefly touched down in Unadilla, Nebraska. The tornado was embedded within a strong squall line moving through the area. Tree damage was noted, and damage to three homes was also observed. Siding and gutters were torn off, windows were broken, and the roof of another home was a partially torn off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sarpy

When: April 12, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Sarpy County, 0.52 mi E of La Platte
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.070, -95.920

Emergency manager reported 1 shed destroyed, another with a damaged roof, and a trailed tipped.

Hail, Sarpy

When: April 12, 7:36 PM CST
Where: Sarpy County, 0.69 mi S of Ft Crook
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.110, -95.950

Public reported 1 inch hail via mPing.

Hail, Cass

When: April 12, 7:57 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 0.87 mi SE of Plattsmouth
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 41.010, -95.890

Public reported 1 inch hail via social media.

Hail, Pawnee

When: April 12, 8:09 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 2.22 mi ENE of Lewiston
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.240, -96.410

Trained spotter reported dime to quarter sized hail.

Hail, Johnson

When: April 12, 8:24 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 2.14 mi SSW of Tecumseh Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.400, -96.190

Emergency manager reported 1 inch hail.

Hail, Nemaha

When: April 12, 8:54 PM CST
Where: Nemaha County, 0.87 mi SW of Auburn
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.390, -95.840

COOP Observer reported 1.5 inch hail.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Nebraska, 2022 Warnings in Nebraska, April 2022

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: 1017501, 1017476, 1017477, 1017478, 1017479, 1017480, 1017481, 1017482, 1017483, 1017484, 1017485, 1017486, 1017487, 1017488, 1017489, 1017490, 1017491, 1017492, 1017493, 1017494, 1017495, 1017496, 1017497, 1017498, 1017475, 1017499, 1017500.