Major severe weather event unfolds across south central Nebraska during the afternoon and evening of May 12th, including wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH. The most significant severe weather event of May 2022 occurred on a Thursday in which multiple rounds of thunderstorms wreaked havoc on essentially all of south central Nebraska at some point.
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.
Major severe weather event unfolds across south central Nebraska during the afternoon and evening of May 12th, including wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH. The most significant severe weather event of May 2022 occurred on a Thursday in which multiple rounds of thunderstorms wreaked havoc on essentially all of south central Nebraska at some point. The most intense severe weather, by far, was the first round. This activity actually developed over portions of west/southwest Kansas during the morning hours and moved northeast. Rapid intensification took place between 1PM and 2PM CDT as thunderstorms organized into a long line, and the first Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for areas from Phillipsburg, KS to Lexington, NE. Initial storm reports ranged from quarter to ping pong ball size hail with the southern portion of the line, to widespread damaging wind gusts with the northern portion of the line across a large portion of Dawson County. Wind damage consisted of overturned pivots, uprooted trees, broken power poles, fence and roof damage, large tree limbs downed. Wind damage was widespread over central and western Dawson County where measured wind gusts of 60-70 MPH were common. Even an 82 MPH gust, which is considered significant severe , was measured by a mesonet near Eddyville. Surface temperatures near 90 degrees and mixed layer CAPE values in excess of 3000 J/kg ahead of the line of thunderstorms, amidst 35kt to 50kt of southwesterly deep layer shear, allowed for continued intensification through the mid to late afternoon as the line raced northeast. Additional significant damaging wind impacts were felt across Sherman, Valley, and Greeley Counties. Valley County was another area especially hard hit. Here, several wind gusts in the 80-90 MPH range were reported, and damage was significant. Numerous trees were uprooted, pivots overturned, and outbuildings and grain bins destroyed. Another destructive aspect of this storm is that it also produced ping pong ball sized hail that was blown by the intense winds. This resulted in significant window and body damage to cars, as well as roof, siding, and window damage to homes. Additional significant wind damage was reported in and around Burwell (just barely outside this coverage area). The first round of thunderstorms exited north/northeast of the area around 3:30PM CDT, but the next round was hot on its heels , and entered southern Nebraska around 4PM CDT, and quickly became severe. In fact, brief, but intense, circulations were noted on radar for a time just south and southeast of Hastings. This round affected mainly areas along and east of Highway 281. Since this region was spared from the first round, and a similar thermodynamic and kinematic environment was still in place, it’s no surprise that this round also intensified enough to produce significant severe wind gusts, most notably in a swath from Clay County northeast to Polk County. Several more 60-70 MPH wind gusts were reported in these areas, causing more overturned pivots, downed power lines, and damage to roofs, outbuildings, and grain bins. Also, intense wind gusts moved over Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, causing multiple overturned semis. This second round exited into eastern Nebraska and out of the Hastings CWA around 7PM CDT. The third and final round began to affect areas along and east Highway 183 between 7PM and 8PM CDT. The majority of this activity remained sub-severe as the greatest instability had been used up by the two previous rounds. However, a marginally severe wind gust of 59 MPH was measured at the Hastings airport shortly before 8PM. Thereafter, weakening ensued as the line became strung out and forward propagation slowed. Thunderstorms finally exited south central Nebraska between 11PM and midnight, ending a roughly 10 hour stretch of seemingly never ending severe weather!
Meteorologically speaking, this event was driven by a particularly volatile combination of intensifying shortwave ejecting from the central Rockies into the northern Plains, very unstable airmass (MUCAPE of 3000-4000 J/kg at it’s peak), and strong deep layer shear driven by 500 mb speed max of 60-70 kt. While this setup is not unheard of for mid-May, it’s certainly not very common, and for three distinct waves of thunderstorms to move through in a 10 hour period (two of which contained significant severe weather phenomena) is also not very common. From a regional perspective, the Hastings CWA was the developing grounds for a significant derecho that would propagate into the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley and go on to produce hundreds of measured severe wind gusts and wind damage reports, of which over 60 were considered significant severe . Over 75 hail reports and nearly three dozen tornado reports were also reported, with the majority of tornadoes occurring in SD and MN. For 2022, this will likely be remembered as one of the most severe convective events of the year, both locally, and across the greater region.
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 May 12, 11:54 AM CST, 39 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Hastings NE 1254 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022 ...AVIATION UPDATE... .DISCUSSION...(Today through Wednesday) Issued at 434 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 Breezy southerly winds, elevated dew points, and significant high level cloud cover overnight helped to keep temperatures well above normal...with most locations still in the 70s as of 4 AM, closer to typical high temperatures for the date than morning low temperatures. With this warm start to the day, clearing skies through the morning hours...and some adiabatic compression ahead of the approaching cold front...expect afternoon temperatures to climb a few degrees above yesterdays values, and generally in the low 90s across the board. While records are not currently forecast, for a second straight day, they do remain in reach across the region. For today, there are two main concerns. The first will be the near critical fire weather concerns along and west of highway 183...and the second the severe weather potential for nearly the entire forecast area. Regarding the fire weather conditions...while a couple of hours of potentially critical conditions are possible this afternoon as dewpoints drop behind the cold front...fuels are starting to green up across the local area and decided to only highlight in HWO and forego any sort of fire weather headline across our area. The bigger concern will be the severe weather potential this afternoon, which was the main focus of the forecast this morning. As temperatures soar this afternoon...expect the CAP to erode...and with over 4000 Joules of surface based CAPE...it will not take much to get storms developing...and rapidly become severe. While shear is fairly weak this afternoon...overall tornado potential appears low, but with parts of the area highlighted in a 2 percent risk for a tornado from SPC...opted to make a mention for an isolated tornado. Given the instability...Hail will likely be the main threat...and increased the potential hail size to 2 inches...although isolated larger hail can also not be ruled out. As this front is now well within the time range of CAMs...it appears that a few storms could develop during the early afternoon hours...but more explosive convection is not expected until between 21-00Z...becoming a line along the front...and then transitioning east and exiting the area before midnight tonight. While the initial threat will mainly be hail...it should transition to damaging winds as the line matures during the evening hours. Behind the front...cooler weather will filter in across the local area to end the week...but temperatures will still be 5-10 degrees above normal Friday and through much of the extended periods. In addition...there will be multiple small chances for thunderstorms with some passing weak disturbances...the first Saturday night...then again Monday night through Thursday. While there are multiple chances for thunderstorms over this time period...the best chance for more widespread activity and precipitation continues to be with todays front...which should impact just about the entire local forecast area. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Friday) Issued at 1250 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022 Significant weather: T-storms with gusty winds and perhaps brief dip to MVFR CIGs and IFR VSBYs, mainly within the first 6-9hrs. Today-Tonight: A broken line of tstms over SW NE/NW KS will continue to progress E/NE through the aftn. The strongest storms will be capable of producing large hail and wind gusts of at least 35-45kt, perhaps higher, mainly in the 19Z to 00Z time frame. Storms will exit to the E/SE around 00Z to 03Z as a cold front moves through the area, and switches with from SW/W (or variable) to the NW. The front should also clear the CWA out from all but high-level cirrus blow-off...leaving VFR for the remainder of the overnight. Confidence: general evolution - medium, exact timing/impacts - low. Friday thru 18Z: Lgt WNW to NW winds and clr skies are expected. Confidence: High. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...NONE. KS...NONE. && DISCUSSION...Rossi AVIATION...Thies
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 433 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 130945- 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- 433 AM CDT Thu May 12 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered to widespread thunderstorms are expected to develop along a cold front this afternoon...and propagate east during the evening hours. Some of these thunderstorms are expected to be severe...with hail up to 2 inches in diameter and 60 to 70 mph wind gusts both possible. In addition...an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The main timeframe for severe weather will be between 4pm and 11pm. In addition to thunderstorms, near critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon for areas along and west of Highway 183. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Thunderstorm chances return to the forecast Saturday night, and will continue off and on periodically through the middle of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed late this afternoon and into the evening hours. Please relay reports of hail of any size as well as damaging wind gusts. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Rossi
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
113 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022
KSZ005-121845-
Phillips KS-
113 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Phillips
County through 145 PM CDT...
At 113 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Edmond, or 16 miles north of Hill City, moving northeast at 50 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Logan around 125 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Prairie View and
Long Island.
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 3998 9962 3997 9952 3997 9939 3972 9939
3958 9963
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 220DEG 43KT 3960 9979
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ADPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
129 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022
NEZ060-061-072>074-082-083-121915-
Buffalo NE-Phelps NE-Kearney NE-Harlan NE-Dawson NE-Gosper NE-
Furnas NE-
129 PM CDT Thu May 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Phelps, northwestern
Kearney, southwestern Buffalo, southeastern Gosper, southeastern
Dawson, northeastern Furnas and northwestern Harlan Counties through
215 PM CDT...
At 128 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Edison, or 18 miles west of Holdrege, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Bertrand and Loomis around 140 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Overton, Elm Creek,
Amherst and Miller.
This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 247 and 282.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4021 9966 4035 9986 4093 9940 4068 9887
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 213DEG 49KT 4037 9972
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Billings WrightThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:31 UTC.
36 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located in Bertrand. There was an irrigation pivot tipped over near the county line west of town.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in part of a roof being peeled off a cabin at a trailer court on the east side of the lake.
Measured wind gusts through the county included 82 MPH, measured by a mesonet station located one mile southwest of Eddyville, and 66 MPH, measured by a mesonet station located five miles north-northeast of Lexington. Damage in the Lexington area included tree limbs down, trees uprooted, some fencing damage, and damage to power poles.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Numerous tree limbs were downed, with a handful being at least six inches in diameter. Some tree limbs ended up in power lines. A few trees were uprooted.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a Nebraska Mesonet site located six miles south-southeast of Overton.
Dime to quarter size hail was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 55 MPH.
Wind gusts estimated to be hear 65 MPH resulted in tree and grain bin damage in and around the Litchfield area. Visibility due to blowing dust was near-zero.
A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Kearney.
Wind gusts of 65 MPH and 69 MPH were measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northwest of Loup City. A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northeast of Sherman Reservoir.
Wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH were reported along and near this path. Peak measured wind gusts include: 89 MPH, by a mesonet station located eight miles west-southwest of Ord; 82 MPH, by a mesonet station located four miles west-southwest of Ord; 75 MPH, by a Nebraska Mesonet station located two miles northwest of Ord; 73 MPH, by a mesonet station located six miles southwest of Ord. Widespread damage was reported in and around Arcadia by a NWS Cooperative Observer, who estimated wind speeds to be 80 to 90 MPH with near-zero visibility due to blowing dirt. Numerous trees were uprooted or torn apart, and many buildings and grains bins were damaged or destroyed. Numerous pivots were overturned. Hail up to the size of ping pong balls was driven by this wind, enhancing the destructive nature of the storm. In and around Ord, law enforcement also reported widespread tree damage, along with fencing and shed damage. The NWS Cooperative Observer in Ord reported pea to dime size hail lasted for approximately 10-15 minutes. The Fort Hartsuff State Park area in far northern Valley County also reported tree damage.
The NWS Cooperative Observer located two miles west of Arcadia reported hail up to the size of ping pong balls, driven by wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Visibility was reduced due to blowing dust.
A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located seven miles north-northeast of Wolbach.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in a metal roof being peeled off of a calving shed approximately one-half mile east of Spalding.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in some downed power lines in Red Cloud.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH caused minor outbuilding damage in Cowles.
Hail up to the size of half dollars was reported at the NWS Hastings office.
Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported on Highway 281 north of Hansen.
A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles south of Doniphan and a wind gust 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile east-southeast of Doniphan.
A wind gust of 66 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Fairfield. A gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles north-northwest of Edgar.
A mesonet station located four miles northeast of Fairfield measured wind gusts of 64 MPH and 69 MPH. A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles southeast of Clay Center. A NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles east-southeast of Clay Center estimated wind gusts to be near 70 MPH, and also reported near-zero visibility due to blowing dust.
A wind gust of 70 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles west of Edgar.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in damage across Clay Center. Emergency management reported widespread tree damage and power outages across town and much of Clay County. A couple metal buildings in town sustained damage, including one at the grain elevator. A few power poles were also damaged.
A wind gust of 74 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles southeast of Harvard. A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a Nebraska Mesonet station located four miles southwest of Harvard. A NWS Cooperative Observer reported that a semi-truck was blown over on Highway 6 just west of the Highway 14 intersection north of Clay Center and a car was blown off of Highway 6 near Road T near Saronville.
A wind gust of 73 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile northwest of Henderson. Emergency management estimated wind gusts near 70 MPH five miles south-southwest of Giltner. A trained spotter reported a destroyed grain bin approximately four miles northwest of Stockham, which was blown onto a rural road near Highway 14.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in multiple semi-trucks being blown over on Interstate 80 between mile marker 326, which is two miles east of the Giltner interchange, and the Aurora/Highway 14 interchange. At least three irrigation pivots were tipped along both sides of the interstate in the area.
A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles south of Marquette.
Wind gusts of 60 MPH and 71 MPH were measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-northeast of Henderson.
A wind gust of 65 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-northeast of Lushton.
A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by the Aurora Airport AWOS.
Wind gusts were estimated to be near 75 MPH in the area. Visibility was near-zero due to blowing dust, semi-trucks were tipped over along Interstate 80 in the area.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located in Polk.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles west-northwest of York.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles north-northeast of Benedict.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles south-southeast of Osceola.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north-northwest of Gresham.
A wind gust of 78 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northeast of Shelby.
A wind gust of 66 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-northeast of Davenport. A gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet stateion located four miles east-southeast of Davenport.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northwest of Geneva.
A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by the Hastings Airport ASOS.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, May 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: 1026642, 1026652, 1026665, 1026674, 1026691, 1026693, 1026701, 1026794, 1026702, 1026707, 1026736, 1026797, 1026799, 1026801, 1026807, 1026811, 1026814, 1026815, 1026821, 1026822, 1026824, 1026827, 1026833, 1026835, 1026840, 1026841, 1026844, 1026847, 1026850, 1026852, 1026857, 1026856, 1026853, 1026860, 1026865, 1026864, 1026862, 1026866, 1026863, 1026867, and more.