Thunderstorms developed over the northern Nebraska Panhandle and tracked across far northern Nebraska during the early morning hours of May 9th. Golf ball size hail and wind gusts to around 70 MPH were reported with the strongest storms.
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 LBF wrote it up.
Thunderstorms developed over the northern Nebraska Panhandle and tracked across far northern Nebraska during the early morning hours of May 9th. Golf ball size hail and wind gusts to around 70 MPH were reported with the strongest storms.
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 8, 7:20 PM MST, 2 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 920 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 .Mesoscale Discussion... Issued at 920 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 A deep 988mb surface low is currently located roughly east of Greeley, Colorado this hour, with a cold front stretching northeast from the low center. This cold front is draped roughly from just east of Sidney to just west of Valentine. Rapid moisture advection is underway across central Nebraska, with dewpoints now in the upper 50s along and southeast of a Broken Bow to O'Neill line. An upper level wave is currently swinging across portions of the Intermountain West, with increasing ascent across the Rockies and into the Plains. As the upper wave continues to push eastward this evening, the surface low will begin to eject northeastward out of northeast Colorado. As this occurs, convective initiation is anticipated near the cold frontal boundary. With rapidly increasing flow aloft deep layer shear will quickly increase to near 50-70kts above the effective inflow base. Any convection looks to remain largely elevated in nature, which suggests a primarily large hail threat. High-res guidance continues to hint at robust elevated supercellular development, largely in the 05-07Z timeframe. This looks to occur with a strengthening LLJ, with flow increasing to 35-45kts into the surface frontal boundary. Concerningly, cooling aloft will lead to quickly increasing MUCAPE as well as steepening mid-level lapse rates. Latest high-res guidance continues to hint at widespread 1500- 2000 J/kg of MUCAPE for storms to tap into aloft, and this should be enough to sustain convection amid the very strong shear in place. Where initiation occurs remains somewhat low confidence, though there appears to be a window for elevated supercell development across the western Sandhills into north central Nebraska near/after midnight. Any supercells that can develop should quickly move northeastward, with only a limited window of severe potential. Bottom line remains, confidence continues to slowly increase in the potential for elevated supercells with a large hail threat over the next 2-6hrs. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday night) Issued at 331 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 992 mb sfc low pressure near Aspen CO this afternoon will redevelop across nern Colo and deepen to 985-987 as it is lifted north into SD by a 75kt 500mb jet tonight. The attendant warm front lifting through ncntl Nebraska is one area of interest for thunderstorms. A second area of interest is across nwrn Nebraska where a stationary front will be located. Storms in both areas, if they develop, will be mostly elevated. Winds aloft will become strong at h500mb, 50-65kt, representing a very strongly sheared environment. In fact, the bulk Richardson number in the RAP and NAM models is less than 5. This suggests the updrafts will be sheared apart defeating the potential for near-sfc based severe storm development. A check on elevated instability, however, suggests the potential for elevated storms in the NAM but not the RAP. The forecast favors the NAM/NAMnest which suggests an isolated severe storm or two may form across nrn Nebraska. The rain forecast tonight follows the short term model blend which is trending north maintaining the better chances across SD. Isolated POPs are in place along and north of highway 2 in Nebraska which increase to 40-60 percent near the SD border. All of this rain should exit the region by Monday morning. The models are in very good agreement sending a surge of very dry air into wrn and ncntl Nebraska Monday- RH falls to below 30 percent and west winds increase to 15 to 30 mph. As the 984 mb sfc low pressure pulls away from Nebraska Monday, the RAP shows 30 to nearly 40kt winds at 500m AGL developing across the wrn Sandhills. The GFS, HRRR and RAP show gusts around 50kts and the GFS BUFkit soundings show mixing heights approaching 600 mb which could tap into the 65 to 80 kt winds at that level. It is important to note the 600 mb winds shown are not unidirectional with the 700mb winds suggesting the potential gusts could be less. The culprit is the -32 to -34C h500mb cold pool the models show forming over the West Coast or OR/nrn CA. This is near record cold according to SPC UA climo. The wind forecast is guarded for this reason and a High Wind Watch is in place across parts of wrn Neb. Monday. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 331 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 The next chance of severe weather develops Wednesday and Thursday. The models are in very good agreement developing sfc low pressure to the lee of the Colorado Rockies and lifting a warm front through Nebraska Wednesday. The warm front is the basis for isolated- scattered thunderstorm chances. The NAM, ECM and GFS suggest isolated storm coverage and this is because of the 12C temperatures and resulting cap at h700mb. The storm mode is within the forecast range of the NAM model and BUFkit suggests conditions will be favorable for longer-lived supercells. The 3000-4000ML CAPE and 40-50kt 500mb winds should provide a good balance for rotating updrafts. The storms develop Thursday when the sfc low pressure lifts north of Nebraska and pushes a dryline east toward ncntl Neb. Winds aloft strengthen a bit, perhaps 60kt or stronger at h500mb and the cap should weaken supporting scattered storm coverage, mainly east of highway 83. The forecast Tuesday, Friday and Saturday is dry and uneventful. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 619 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 Multiple aviation weather concerns exist for western and north central Nebraska through Monday afternoon. Tonight, scattered thunderstorms develop in northwest Nebraska and spread east (affecting KVTN). Farther south, conditions remain but a stratus deck may briefly work into KLBF. In addition, low level wind shear conditions are expected. Higher confidence in low ceilings, including MVFR/IFR, lies across the north. Toward early morning Monday, a cool front helps to clear out the low clouds. It also results in a wind switch to west/northwest and a rapid upswing in speeds. The strongest gusts will be across northern Nebraska where gusts may approach 40 kts. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Watch from 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/ Monday through Monday evening for NEZ004-005-022>025-035-094. && Mesoscale...Brown SHORT TERM...CDC LONG TERM...CDC AVIATION...Snively
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service North Platte NE 948 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-100300- 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- 948 PM CDT Sun May 8 2022 /848 PM MDT Sun May 8 2022/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central Nebraska. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. Scattered thunderstorms will move through the western and northern Sandhills late tonight and into north central Nebraska overnight. A few of the storms may become strong or severe with the main concerns being hail up to one inch and wind gusts to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. A High Wind Watch is in effect for portions of the panhandle and western Sandhills on Monday. Strong westerly winds will develop in the late morning with peak wind gusts of 60 mph possible. Gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range are expected elsewhere. Travel will be difficult, especially for light-weight and high profile vehicles particularly on north-south routes. Additional thunderstorm chances will exist Wednesday and Thursday. Severe storms will be possible, but details concerning timing and location will become more clear in the coming days. .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
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
957 PM MDT Sun May 8 2022
NEZ004-094-090430-
Sheridan NE-Western Cherry NE-
957 PM MDT Sun May 8 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Cherry
and northeastern Sheridan Counties through 1030 PM MDT...
At 956 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Gordon, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Gordon, Rushville, Clinton, Lone Butte, Irwin, Intersection of
Highway 87 and Larabee Road, Mount Maria, Intersection of Highway 20
and Irwin Road, Shell Lake State Wildlife Management Area, Bayonne,
Intersection of Highway 27 and Mills Road, Hoover Lake, Highway 250
crossing the Niobrara River and Rock Hill.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 20 between mile markers 89 and 133.
Highway 250 between mile markers 38 and 48.
Highway 61 between mile markers 218 and 220.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4300 10180 4282 10168 4256 10247 4293 10256
4300 10247
TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 238DEG 48KT 4284 10238
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SnivelySpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1042 PM MDT Sun May 8 2022
NEZ094-090500-
Western Cherry NE-
1042 PM MDT Sun May 8 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Cherry
County through 1100 PM MDT...
At 1042 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Merriman, or 14 miles south of Martin, moving northeast at 50 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...
Merriman.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 20 between mile markers 129 and 141.
Highway 61 between mile markers 224 and 231.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4299 10138 4285 10180 4300 10191
TIME...MOT...LOC 0442Z 240DEG 44KT 4296 10176
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SnivelyThe North Platte radar (KLNX), 174 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:13 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Tin ripped off an outbuilding and carried one quarter mile. Time estimated from Radar.
Time estimated from radar.
Wind driven hail of unknown size, broke windows out of cars and houses in this area. Report taken via social media. Time estimated from radar.
Tree and vehicle damage reported at this location. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm wind gusts measured by RAWS station VRFN1.
Large tree branches reported down near Ballards Marsh. Report taken via social media.
Thunderstorm wind gusts measured by Nebraska MESONET site Mullen 30N.
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: 1021007, 1021002, 1021000, 1021006, 1021008, 1021001, 1021004, 1020999, 1021003, 1021005.