Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, May 7 to 9, 2022

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, May 7 to 9, 2022
Start: 2022-05-07T17:52
End: 2022-05-09T00:14
Location: Nebraska

May 7 to 9, 2022 · NWS LBF · 14 events in 8 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: None recorded
Events: 14

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 during the late afternoon hours of May 7th over the northern Nebraska Panhandle. Storms developed in advance of an approaching cold front which lifted across western and central Nebraska during the nighttime hours. As storms tracked east of the panhandle, they organized into a line of strong to severe thunderstorms which stretched from north central Nebraska into southwestern Nebraska. Hail up to golf ball size and wind gusts to around 70 MPH were reported.

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 May 7, 5:27 PM CST, 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 7, 5:27 PM CST, 25 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
627 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night)
Issued at 343 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

An upper level disturbance and associated Pacific cold front
operating across UT/WY this afternoon will move into wrn Nebraska
this afternoon/evening triggering a fairly robust area of
thunderstorms. A northward surge of dry air across the Panhandle
appears to be focusing the better rain chances, generally east of
highway 61 with the best chance east of highway 83. This represents
a shift east in the best focus for rainfall from earlier forecasts.

There are two basic schools of model solns for rainfall. One,
suggesting a strong cap will remain across swrn Nebraska, perhaps
limiting rain chances to areas north of Interstate 80. The strongly
capped models are the GFS, NAM, HRRR, SREF and RAP. A second cadre
of models, such as the ECM and downscaled NAM suggest significant
rainfall will extend along and south of the Interstate. The
forecast, which uses a blended approach, carries the heavier rain
further south then the "capped models" but not as far south as the
wetter ECM and downscaled NAM model.

In typical May fashion, lapse rates will be steep ahead of the upper
level disturbance predicted to move through tonight. Winds aloft at
h500 will increase to 50-65kts producing strong shear. The NAM and
RAP models accordingly, are suggesting a low bulk Richardson number
which increases along a sfc cold front progged to move through the
region late this afternoon and tonight. The CAMs are suggesting
multicell segments which is confusing since BufKit suggests the
shear will be too strong for significant cell regeneration. The CAMs
are probably developing the segments along and just behind the cold
front and represent the predicted storm mode for this forecast.

Most or all of this storm activity should be clear of wrn and ncntl
Nebraska Sunday morning and the region to remain post frontal
throughout the day.

A second round of height falls will move through the region Sunday
night and robust moisture return will develop as 850-700mb winds
become south and strengthen to 35-50kts. This should lift a warm
front back north and the models are in very good agreement
developing thunderstorms north of Interstate 80. A check on the NAM
and RAP models shows lapse rates becoming steep with the approach of
the warm front. This would support storms capable of at least small
hail with a marginal chance for a few large-hail storms Sunday
night. Likely POPs are in place north of the Interstate with rain
chances increasing to definite near the SD border.

.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 343 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

Western and north central Nebraska remain post-frontal Monday and
Tuesday. A dry forecast is in place.

Attention is drawn to the potential weather events of Wednesday and
Thursday. It is during this time an upper level low will drop
through the srn Rockies and lift north through the cntl and nrn high
Plains. Moisture return is likely across Nebraska with dew points
returning to the 50s. The GFS and ECM show a strong cap in place
with h700mb temperatures warming to 12C-14C. The strong cap
represents a significant limiter to thunderstorm chances.

Height falls occur with the approach of the upper low. Model timing
differences- the GFS is faster, lowering heights and weakening the
cap Wednesday. The slower ECM delays this process until Thursday.
Chc-slight chc POPs are in place Wednesday and Thursday- the better
focus appears to be across the Dakotas and upper Midwest but the
intense increase in 500mb winds to 50-80kts across Nebraska shown by
the ECM Thursday are a severe weather concern. The message is the
strong cap and strong shear predicted by the models suggest
thunderstorm coverage across wrn and ncntl Nebraska would likely be
isolated but potentially severe.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening)
Issued at 627 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

The main aviation weather concern through tonight revolves around
thunderstorms. Strong to severe storms will grow in coverage and
spread east through 08/06z or so, lingering a little longer in
north central Neb (KONL). Expect significant drops in visby and
erratic winds, along with brief bouts of hail. Preceding the
storms, south/southeast winds will continue to gust 30+ kts.
Behind the storms, winds will transition to west/northwest and
gradually wane overnight. Ceilings lift to AOA 20kft by midday,
while another wind shift to southeast occurs for southern Neb
(KLBF).

&&

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

SHORT TERM...CDC
LONG TERM...CDC
AVIATION...Snively

Hazardous weather outlook, May 7, 1:48 PM CST, 4 hours 4 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
248 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-082000-
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-
248 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022 /148 PM MDT Sat May 7 2022/

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop late this
afternoon and evening across much of western and north central
Nebraska. Storms may become strong to severe with large hail,
damaging winds, and frequent lightning the main concerns. Storms
will likely continue through the overnight with a continued threat
for strong to isolated severe storms possible.

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

Thunderstorm activity is possible once again on Sunday afternoon
and evening, mainly for areas north of Highway 92. At this time,
the threat for severe weather appears low.

Additional chances for thunderstorms will exist Wednesday and
Thursday. At this time, the severe threat is uncertain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the
NWS.

&&

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 7, 4:18 PM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
518 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

NEZ005-094-072300-
Eastern Cherry NE-Western Cherry NE-
518 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Cherry
County through 600 PM CDT/500 PM MDT/...

At 517 PM CDT/417 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm near Cody, or 33 miles southeast of Martin, moving
northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Cody, Kilgore, Nenzel and Crookston.

This includes Highway 20 between mile markers 158 and 186.

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 4272 10128 4288 10140 4300 10115 4299 10054
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 246DEG 34KT 4284 10125

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

CDC

Local storm report, May 7, 5:14 PM CST, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
614 PM CDT SAT MAY 7 2022

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

0610 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 N VALENTINE           42.88N 100.55W
05/07/2022  M57 MPH          CHERRY             NE   MESONET

            MESONET STATION EW3958 VALENTINE 1N.

&&

Local storm report, May 7, 5:24 PM CST, 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
624 PM CDT SAT MAY 7 2022

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

0614 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 S VALENTINE           42.86N 100.55W
05/07/2022  M56 MPH          CHERRY             NE   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KVTN VALENTINE AIRPORT.

&&

Special weather statement, May 7, 5:25 PM CST, 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
625 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

NEZ005-006-008-080030-
Brown NE-Eastern Cherry NE-Keya Paha NE-
625 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Cherry,
northwestern Brown and western Keya Paha Counties through 730 PM
CDT...

At 624 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Littleburg to near
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Springview, Johnstown, Norden, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge,
Wood Lake, Smith Falls State Park, Bobcat State Wildlife Management
Area, Antelope Peak, Meadville, North River Trail, Sparks and Big
Alkali Lake State Wildlife Management Area.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 183 between mile markers 213 and 225.
 Highway 20 between mile markers 200 and 238.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 187 and 207.
 Highway 12 near mile marker 3, and between mile markers 8 and 59.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
north central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4248 9998 4253 10072 4300 10042 4300 9961
TIME...MOT...LOC 2324Z 265DEG 30KT 4300 10035 4256 10067

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CDC

Special weather statement, May 7, 5:51 PM CST, 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
651 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

NEZ005-094-080015-
Eastern Cherry NE-Western Cherry NE-
651 PM CDT Sat May 7 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Cherry
County through 715 PM CDT/615 PM MDT/...

At 650 PM CDT/550 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm near Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, or 20 miles
south of Valentine, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Sparks, Big Alkali Lake State
Wildlife Management Area, Smith Falls State Park and Schlagel Creek
State Wildlife Management Area.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 202 and 213.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 188 and 207.
 Highway 12 between mile markers 16 and 21.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT/1000
PM MDT/ for north central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4246 10070 4261 10083 4300 10021 4272 10020
      4270 10045 4255 10048
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 237DEG 53KT 4259 10066

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

CDC

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:54 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 hail, 4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cherry

When: May 7, 5:52 PM CST
Where: Cherry County, 0.86 mi NW of Wood Lake
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.640, -100.240

Half dollar size hail was reported at this location.

Hail, Cherry

When: May 7, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Cherry County, 2.31 mi SSE of Wood Lake
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.600, -100.210

Report VIA social media. Time estimated by radar.

Hail, Arthur

When: May 7, 5:05 PM MST
Where: Arthur County, 5.09 mi WNW of Bucktail
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.600, -101.520

Hail ranged from dimes to quarters at this location. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Brown

When: May 7, 6:26 PM CST
Where: Brown County, 6.08 mi NNE of (Anw)ainsworth Muni
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.660, -99.930

Hail, McPherson

When: May 7, 6:31 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, 16.09 mi W of Tryon
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.570, -101.280

Hail lasted for 5 minutes. Time estimated by radar.

Hail, Rock

When: May 7, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Rock County, 1.02 mi W of Bassett
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.580, -99.540

Hail, Blaine

When: May 7, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Blaine County, 1.24 mi NE of Dunning
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.830, -100.100

Power lost at this location along with nickel sized hail. Time estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: May 7, 8:26 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 4.86 mi N of North Platte
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.220, -100.770

Hail, Lincoln

When: May 7, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, Hershey
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.170, -101.000

Hail, Lincoln

When: May 7, 8:34 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 2.76 mi S of Hershey
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.130, -101.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: May 7, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, (Lbf)bird Fld North
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.130, -100.680

Wind gust measured at the North Platte Regional Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: May 7, 9:01 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 0.87 mi SE of (Lbf)bird Fld North
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.120, -100.670

Measured at the North Platte Regional Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Frontier

When: May 7, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Frontier County, 9.59 mi ENE of Hugh Butler Lake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.420, -100.530

Public reports multiple 3 to 5 inch tree limbs down at this location blocking a road. Time estimated by radar.

Hail, Cherry

When: May 9, 12:14 AM CST
Where: Cherry County, 42.05 mi SSE of Irwin
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.310, -101.660

Hail ranged from peas to quarter size. Time estimated by radar.

What these are

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

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 Warnings in Nebraska, May 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: 1020593, 1020594, 1020595, 1020596, 1020597, 1020598, 1020599, 1020603, 1020600, 1020601, 1020608, 1020605, 1020606, 1020602.