both associated with discrete supercells (one of which eventually morphed into more of a quasi-linear convective system/QLCS). The primary/longest corridor of severe weather primarily impacted the the following local counties: southern/western Sherman, northern/eastern Buffalo, southern/western Hall, northern/eastern Adams (including Hastings), southern/western Clay and much of Nuckolls/Thayer.
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.
While nearly all of South Central Nebraska experienced thunderstorms on this Tuesday evening, the majority of severe storms (significantly severe in places) concentrated within two distinct, northwest-southeast swaths mainly no more than 10-20 miles across...both associated with discrete supercells (one of which eventually morphed into more of a quasi-linear convective system/QLCS). The primary/longest corridor of severe weather primarily impacted the the following local counties: southern/western Sherman, northern/eastern Buffalo, southern/western Hall, northern/eastern Adams (including Hastings), southern/western Clay and much of Nuckolls/Thayer. The other notable (but shorter-in-length) swath of storm damage wrought havoc across parts of eastern Hamilton, southern/western York and northern Fillmore counties. Within each of these corridors, there were numerous reports of severe winds and/or large hail (some at least 2-3 inch diameter), causing countless instances of damage such as: broken windows in homes and vehicles, significant damage to siding/roofs, innumerable flipped irrigation pivots, and the destruction of many thousands of acres of young crops. In addition to the considerable hail/damaging winds that impacted several counties, one QLCS tornado was also confirmed in Nuckolls/Thayer counties (rated EF-0). This event marked the fourth-consecutive day of severe storms within the 24-county area, and was the overall most significant round of all. Duration-wise, this event was actually fairly quick-hitting, with all South Central Nebraska severe storms unfolding during a 3.5 hour span between 7:00-10:30 p.m. CDT...starting off in northern counties and eventually exiting far south-southeast counties.
Digging deeper into storm reports, and starting with the QLCS EF-0 tornado, it was determined to have tracked for nearly 10 miles through southeastern Nuckolls/southwestern Thayer counties shortly before 10 p.m. CDT, causing tree damage in Ruskin and then destroying/damaging several grain bins, irrigation pivots and a few outbuildings before lifting north of Byron. However, by far the biggest impacts of the evening resulted from large hail/damaging winds. Within the aforementioned longer corridor of damage extending along a line from Sherman through Nuckolls/Thayer counties, a sampling of some of the more noteworthy reports included: 2.5-3.5 diameter hail and 70 MPH winds in the Litchfield and Hazard areas (considerable window/siding damage); hail stones 2-4 diameter through the Ravenna/Pleasanton areas (considerable window/siding damage including shattered windows on a few fire trucks); combo of hail 1.75-2.50 diameter and measured 66 MPH winds in Hastings (considerable window/siding damage especially on north/west sides of the city); widespread 60-70 MPH winds through southern/western Clay County with over a dozen toppled irrigation pivots; wood frame outbuilding destroyed and a semi truck overturned near Hebron. Within the shorter swath of concentrated damage that tore through Hamilton/York/Fillmore counties, various reports included: a semi truck blown over on Interstate 80 and areas of complete crop destruction and many overturned irrigation pivots due to a combo of 60-70 MPH winds and hail up to 2 diameter (particularly in the Hampton, Henderson and McCool Junction areas). While these two main swaths accounted for the vast majority of South Central Nebraska storm reports during the evening, there were also a few more isolated pockets of severe weather well-removed from both of them. These included a mesonet-measured 64 MPH wind gust near Lexington and also a handful of reports associated with a supercell that barely skirted the northeast fringes of the local area (including golf ball size hail near Genoa and a measured 65 MPH gust near Shelby (with pivots reported overturned).
Examining event evolution/timing, the first scattered storms of the evening (initially non-severe) formed between 6-7 p.m. CDT along a west-east oriented band across far northern local counties. Then, the action really ramped up/intensified during the next hour as: 1) a long-lived supercell that developed several hours prior in the northern NE Panhandle entered the local area into Sherman County (the beginning stages of the primary swath of severe weather)...2) a new intense supercell flared up over central/eastern Hamilton County (along the southern fringes of the initial weak northern activity)...3) another comparably shorter-lived supercell developed out of the eastern fringes of the northern storms and clipped the northeast fringes of the local area in Nance/Merrick/Polk counties. Between 8-10 p.m. CDT, the two primary South Central Nebraska supercells continued east-southeast, with the eastern one exiting the local area out of York/Fillmore counties, while the western one gradually merged with a developing convective line that extended off to its west-southwest. Shortly after this powerful storm tore through eastern Adams/western Clay counties, a gradual storm mode transition from semi-discrete supercell to small-scale severe QLCS was complete, leading to a reduced large hail threat but a continued threat of damaging winds (along with the aforementioned tornado). Finally, between 10-11 p.m. CDT the main QLCS segment over Thayer County, along with weaker linear storms trailing westward along the Nebraska-Kansas border, completely exited South Central Nebraska to the south-southeast, ending a very active 3-4 hours. Wrapping up with a closer look at the meteorological setup, this event was the grand finale to a multiple-day stretch of at least spotty severe storms within South Central Nebraska. But compared to prior days, forcing was stronger both aloft and at the surface, leading to an overall-more impactful event. In the mid-upper levels, west-northwest flow prevailed, featuring a fairly potent (albeit low amplitude) shortwave trough zipping eastward across northern NE/southern SD during the afternoon-evening. At the surface, the day began with an initially weakly-defined, west-east oriented front draped across southern portions of the local area. But during the evening, this boundary sharpened up and made a more pronounced southward surge into Kansas in response to a combination of pressure rises driven by the aforementioned upper wave and also convective outflow. Although quite a bit of daytime cloud cover helped hold afternoon temperatures across most of South Central Nebraska down in the mid-upper 70s (F) and low level moisture levels were only only seasonably-modest (dewpoints low-mid 60s F), an impressive combination of strong deep layer wind shear of at least 50-60 knots and mixed-layer CAPE of 1000-2000 J/kg clearly supported higher-end severe weather. From a forecast/messaging perspective this was a well-anticipated event, as SPC's second Day 2 Outlook (issued on the 6th) upgraded most of South Central Nebraska to an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5), with this Enhanced category then maintained throughout the subsequent Day 1 cycle.
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 7, 6:05 PM CST, 30 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Hastings NE 705 PM CDT Tue Jun 7 2022 ...Aviation Update... .DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 400 PM CDT Tue Jun 7 2022 The main concern in the near term forecast is the probability of strong to severe thunderstorms impacting the forecast area this afternoon and evening. Visible satellite imagery shows cumulus across the area and a boundary moving from north to south toward the Kansas-Nebraska border. As a note, cloud cover has limited our ability to warm up today in many areas which may put a dent in a bit of the severe weather potential. Environment is fairly unstable right now and mid-level lapse rates are expected to be around 8+ C/km through the evening. Additionally, 0-6km bulk shear values of around 45-55kts, and 0-3km bulk shear values around 30-40kts will support supercell development with the potential for some bowing segments or a semi-disorganized line of storms forming. Large hail up to at least two inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 75 mph will be possible. Additionally, an isolated tornado cannot be entirely ruled out. Another topic of concern is the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding. Soil saturation is a concern in several locations due to heavy rainfall over the past few days. Precipitable water values are expected to range from 1.00-1.50 inches through the course of this event. Additionally, moisture is being advected into the region. One to two rounds of storms may move through a few areas, bringing heavy rainfall areas that have received a decent amount of rain. Any additional heavy rainfall raises the concern for flash flooding. A Flood Watch will be in effect beginning this evening and continuing through Wednesday morning for Furnas, Harlan, Phillips, Rooks, and Osborne counties. Light winds, moisture in the area and cooling temperatures may result in the development of some patchy fog overnight. Expect some reductions to visibility in areas where fog does occur. Wednesday brings a welcome break from the rain for those who have experienced flooding. A mid-level ridge moves across the Rockies and Bighorns into the region. High temperatures will be fairly pleasant, ranging from the mid to upper 70s. Lows will be in the mid to upper 50s. Thursday brings our next chance for showers and storms as a mid- level wave moves across the area. A few storms may become strong to severe. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s to low 80s for highs and the mid-50s to low 60s for lows. Friday and Saturday have trended drier as a ridge moves in from the west and high pressure sets up over the south. Through the weekend, temperatures will be on a gradual warming trend with highs returning to the upper 80s to low 90s in the afternoon. Uncertainty grows in the extended forecast over the potential for a few isolated thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 00Z Thursday) Issued at 705 PM CDT Tue Jun 7 2022 General overview: For the majority of the period, high confidence VFR ceiling/visibility and dry conditions. The BIG exception will be right away this evening, as particularly sometime during the 01-04Z time frame features a decent chance of thunderstorms (possibly severe). Aside from any thunderstorm-related influences/outflow, winds should not be a major issue, with sustained speeds largely near/below 12KT throughout, initially out of the east-northeast this evening, and then prevailing north- northwesterly through most of the period (especially Wed daytime). Thunderstorm potential/timing: By far the main concern of the period is a decent chance for thunderstorms this evening, possibly severe. Have a generic "vicinity" (VCTS) going through 06Z, but have confined a TEMPO 01-04Z to account for the MAIN window of opportunity for storms. Should any storms be severe, hail to 1+" diameter and/or 50+KT gusts cannot be ruled out, but actually realizing either of these conditions at KGRI/KEAR is still a fairly low probability scenario at this point. Ceiling/visibility: Although ceiling and/or visibility could at least briefly become sub- VFR during thunderstorms this evening, confidence is reasonably-high that at least the vast majority of the latter 18 hours of the period should prevail VFR. There are various "hints" that at least brief MVFR ceiling could develop especially within a few hours either side of sunrise Wednesday, but with confidence only medium at-best have gone with only a scattered low cloud group. There is probably also a non-zero chance for light fog/sub- VFR visibility late tonight/early Wed, but believe there should be just enough of a northerly breeze to hold sub-VFR at bay. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for NEZ082-083. KS...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for KSZ005-017-018. && DISCUSSION...Wekesser AVIATION...Pfannkuch
Hazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Hastings NE 531 PM CDT Tue Jun 7 2022 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 081200- 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- 531 PM CDT Tue Jun 7 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Evening and Overnight. Thunderstorms are likely across the outlook area, some of which will be severe. The main threats with severe storms will be large hail up to around 2 inches in diameter and/or damaging wind gusts up to around 75 MPH. Although not the primary threat, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out somewhere within the outlook area. The largest hail will favor any storms that remain more isolated in nature, while the threat for damaging winds will be highest if storms merge into a larger-scale complex that tracks east- southeast across the area. In addition, some places could receive at least 1 to 2 inches of rain tonight, which could cause at least minor flooding issues. Given recent heavy rains, far south and southwestern portions of the outlook area appear most prone to possible flooding, and as a result, a Flood Watch is in effect through tonight for Phillips, Rooks, Osborne, Furnas and Harlan counties. Timing-wise, the main risk for severe storms across the outlook area should focus between 7 PM and 1 AM, starting first in northern and western local counties, and eventually ending in southern and eastern counties. If any stronger storms happen to linger beyond 1 AM, they would most likely occur in north central Kansas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. The next chance for thunderstorms will arrive Thursday afternoon into Thursday night, when a few storms may become strong to severe. There is also a chance of a few thunderstorms on Sunday into Sunday night, but confidence in the location and timing of any thunderstorm development is low at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to contact the National Weather Service with any reports of large hail, damaging winds, or flooding. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Pfannkuch
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:31 UTC.
33 thunderstorm wind, 20 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail up to the size of golf balls was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 MPH.
Wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 MPH were accompanied by hail up to the size of golf balls.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. These gusts were accompanied by hail as large as 3.5 inches in diameter. Several reports of shattered windows and damaged siding were received from this wind-driven hail. Vehicle damage was reported, including from the Emergency Manager who experienced that largest hail and strongest wind on Highway 10 east of Hazard.
Hail reached as large as 3.5 inches in diameter. This hail was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH. Several reports of shattered windows and damaged siding were received from this wind-driven hail. Vehicle damage was reported, including from the Emergency Manager who experienced that largest hail and strongest wind on Highway 10 east of Hazard.
An NeRAIN observer noted hail up to the size of ping pong balls and that there was tree and building damage.
Wind gusts were estimated up to 70 MPH. A nearby mesonet station measured a gust of 65 MPH. Irrigation pivots were overturned and a tree was uprooted. The Cooperative Observer reported that visibility was near-zero at times.
There were several reports of hail ranging from 2-4 inch diameter in and near Ravenna. Widespread home siding and window damage was reported. Vehicles sustained damage, including shattered windows and windshields of the town's fire trucks.
Hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls was reported along and near this path.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in several flipped irrigation pivots in the area. A semi truck was blown over on Interstate 80 near mile marker 339.
Winds gusts were estimated to be near 65 MPH.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northwest of Shelton.
A 66 MPH wind gust was measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-northeast of Henderson.
A wind gust of 70 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles west-southwest of Wood River. A storm chaser reported a flipped irrigation pivot along Highway 30 approximately three miles west-southwest of Wood River.
Hail up to two inches in diameter was reported in and around Wood River.
Hail up to two inches in diameter was reported in/near McCool Junction.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH were observed in McCool Junction. Hail up to two inches in diameter was also reported.
A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east of Lexington.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located five miles west of Hansen. A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles south-southeast of Prosser.
Hail up to the size of golf balls was observed at the NWS Hastings office (four miles north of downtown) and likely occurred northeast of Juniata based on radar and surrounding reports. This hail was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH. Vehicle damage was reported at the NWS Hastings office. Several homes northeast of Juniata had broken windows from the wind-driven hail.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH were observed at the NWS Hastings office, located four miles north of Hastings, and likely occurred northeast of Juniata based on radar and surrounding reports. This wind was accompanied by hail up to the size of golf balls. Vehicle damage was reported at the NWS Hastings office. Several homes northeast of Juniata had broken windows from the wind-driven hail.
Wind gusts exceeding 60 MPH were reported all across the city of Hastings. Peak measured wind gusts included 66 MPH at the Hastings Airport ASOS and 59 MPH by a mesonet station located on the far eastern edge of Hastings. This wind was accompanied by hail as large as golf ball size to 2.5 inches in diameter. Reports of damage across town included broken windows, siding damage, downed tree limbs, and power outages.
There were several reports of hail ranging in size from golf balls to 2.5 inches in diameter all across the city of Hastings. This hail was accompanied by wind gusts exceeding 60 MPH, including a peak measured gust of 66 MPH at the Hastings Airport ASOS. Reports of damage across town included broken windows, siding damage, downed tree limbs, and power outages.
A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-southeast of Fairmont.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in minor tree damage across town, with one larger limb blocking a street.
A wind gust of 63 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northeast of Ayr.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Quarter size hail was also reported.
Quarter size hail was reported. Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH.
A wind gust of 65 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles west-northwest of Fairfield.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH, resulting in minor tree damage.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles northeast of Fairfield.
A wind gust of 63 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles west of Ong.
A wind gust of 69 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north-northwest of Edgar. An NeRAIN comment noted that there was crop damage in the area.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in tree damage in the area. A couple of grain bins and pieces of farm equipment were damaged.
An NeRAIN observer reported hail up to ping pong ball size.
A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles south-southeast of Ong.
A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north of Nelson.
A wind gust of 68 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located seven miles north-northwest of Bostwick.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north-northeast of Davenport.
This tornado touched down in Nuckolls County, just northwest of Ruskin, and moved southeast across town. In town, most of the damage was confined to trees. After passing through town, the tornado destroyed a shed and two empty grain bins south of town. As the tornado rapidly traveled southeast, it upset roughly a half-dozen irrigation pivots, damaged at least two more grain bins, peeled tin and shingles from the rooftops of at least two buildings, and damaged trees. After nearly 10 miles, the tornado lifted three miles north of Byron in Thayer County.
A wind gust of 75 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile south-southeast of Davenport.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located in Davenport.
This tornado touched down in Nuckolls County, just northwest of Ruskin, and moved southeast across town. In town, most of the damage was confined to trees. After passing through town, the tornado destroyed a shed and two empty grain bins south of town. As the tornado rapidly traveled southeast, it upset roughly a half-dozen irrigation pivots, damaged at least two more grain bins, peeled tin and shingles from the rooftops of at least two buildings, and damaged trees. After nearly 10 miles, the tornado lifted three miles north of Byron in Thayer County.
A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located five miles southeast of Ruskin.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in a the destruction of a wood frame outbuilding. A semi truck was also overturned. An irrigation pivot was flipped and a few power poles were leaning.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles north of Chester.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in some downed tree limbs in Hubbell.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Nebraska, 2022Warnings in Nebraska, June 2022
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: 1032964, 1032986, 1033027, 1033038, 1043604, 1032991, 1033040, 1033061, 1033067, 1033072, 1033076, 1033080, 1033081, 1033082, 1033083, 1035614, 1035616, 1035618, 1035619, 1035620, 1035623, 1035627, 1035628, 1044229, 1035626, 1035631, 1035632, 1035638, 1035634, 1035630, 1035643, 1035657, 1035644, 1035646, 1035647, 1035656, 1035648, 1035650, 1035651, 1035652, and more.