Two separate clusters of thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours of August 3rd, one over central Nebraska and another in the area of the Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas border. The two thunderstorm clusters conjoined into one as they moved towards Highway 283 between 5-6AM CDT.
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.
Two separate clusters of thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours of August 3rd, one over central Nebraska and another in the area of the Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas border. The two thunderstorm clusters conjoined into one as they moved towards Highway 283 between 5-6AM CDT. This activity was largely elevated in nature to the north of a surface warm front that was draped west to east just south of the Nebraska-Kansas state line. However, a small portion of the cluster became surface based, at least briefly, over portions of Phelps County where severe wind gusts and damage were reported between 6-7 AM CDT. It appears a microburst occurred just south and southwest of Holdrege given a narrow corridor of damage that included overturned pivots and tree and grain bin damage. A mesonet also measured a wind gust of 78 MPH in the vicinity of the damage. Thunderstorms weakened substantially between 7-8 AM CDT as they moved east across south central Nebraska.
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 Aug 3, 3:57 AM CST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Hastings NE 457 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 .DISCUSSION...(Today through Wednesday) Issued at 428 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 Key Messages: * Showers and thunderstorms across the local area this morning are expected to weaken as they track east through mid-morning. While a strong storm is possible, severe weather is not anticipated with this activity. * A better chance for more widespread thunderstorms, severe weather and possible localized flooding is expected late this evening and through the overnight hours. Damaging wind gusts and potentially severe hail appear to be the primary concerns. * Severe weather chances continue both Friday and Saturday across the local area, although the better chance for severe weather appears to be just ahead of an approaching cold front Saturday afternoon/evening. * Cooler weather and breezy conditions are expected to round out the weekend behind the anticipated cold front, with below normal temps likely settling in across the local area for several days along with additional chances for off and on showers and thunderstorms. Models have had a bit of difficulty catching on to the ongoing convection across the region early this morning, although the 08Z run of the HRRR is at least capturing the cluster of storms to our west...and less so the storms across portions of north central Kansas this morning. Expect this activity to gradually diminish as it tracks east over the next couple of hours...with an isolated strong thunderstorm or two not completely out of the question through around 10 AM. Later today...expect some partial sunshine to return to the local area...although more clouds than sun are expected which should help keep temperatures down a few degrees from yesterday highs. Despite the slightly cooler temps...a few locations across north central Kansas could see heat index values reach 100 degrees this afternoon...but with lower confidence of this actually happening, did not include the mention of heat indexes in the morning HWO. After a mostly dry afternoon...attention will turn to an upper level disturbance and developing area of storms to our west. This approaching trough will create a favorably sheared and modestly unstable environment by late afternoon, likely contributing to the development of an outflow driven cluster of storms capable of producing widespread severe wind gusts...with some large hail also possible with some of the stronger embedded storms. Given the set-up, the western fringe of the local area is an enhanced risk for severe weather tonight with this activity...with the slight risk extending towards the tri-cities. At this time...the timing appears late evening through the overnight hours...likely from around 10 PM this evening through 5 AM Friday morning. Another warm and sticky day is then forecast across the local area Friday with a weaker upper level wave bringing more disorganized convection to the local area during the evening through late night hours. While a severe storm or two will be possible with this activity, the upper level wave/forcing is not as strong, and this looks like more of a disorganized threat for severe weather. Behind this wave...a seasonably strong cold front is expected to cross the local area Saturday evening...with additional chances for severe weather just ahead and along the approaching frontal boundary. Currently the local area is in a slight risk for severe weather ahead of this front...with significantly cooler and a slightly drier airmass expected to filter in behind the front for Sunday. Along with the cooler temperatures...breezy northwesterly winds area expected to round out the weekend...which will be a nice change from the light wind/sticky airmass we have had of late. Thereafter...mainly west to northwesterly flow aloft is forecast to continue across the local area through most of next week which will likely result in below normal temperatures and off and on chances for showers and thunderstorms across the region. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 06Z Friday) Issued at 1114 PM CDT Wed Aug 2 2023 - General overview: This period will be a tale of various flight categories, with much of the first 12 hours expected to feature a mix of MVFR/IFR and possibly LIFR in low clouds and/or fog, while the latter 12 hours should return to fairly high confidence VFR. Precipitation-wise, the vast majority of the period should be dry, but there is chance for some showers/weak thunderstorms for a portion of Thursday morning. There is also a possibility for a larger-scale storm complex to arrive toward the very end of the period late Thursday night, but this should mainly be just beyond this valid period. Outside of any possible thunderstorm outflow influences, winds will not be much of an issue, with sustained speeds at-or-below 10KT throughout, and mainly out of the east-northeast. - Ceiling/visibility details: Confidence is high in sub-VFR conditions through at least the vast majority of the first 12 hours. Confidence is a bit shaky on exactly HOW sub-VFR both ceiling/visibility will fall, but with various models guidance still pretty insistent on several hours of low clouds and/or at least light fog, have maintained the same overall trend from previous 00Z TAFs. Although subject to some adjustment/fine-tuning, at least for now have aimed for onset of MVFR ceiling around 06Z, deteriorating to IFR ceiling/visibility by around 09Z (although LIFR certainly cannot be ruled out either). Getting into the latter half of the period, aimed for gradual improvement to MVFR visibility at 14Z, then VFR visibility/MVFR ceiling at 16Z, then finally a return to VFR by 18Z that should persist through the remainder of the period as lower clouds mix out. - Precipitation/thunderstorm details: Although the vast majority of the period features high confidence in being dry/storm-free, there are "mixed signals" regarding the likelihood of showers/possibly weak thunderstorms at some point this morning. For now have maintained a generic "vicinity shower" (VCSH) 09-14Z as this appears to be the most likely time frame for passing convection. A potentially more impactful/concerning thunderstorm complex could move into the area from the west toward the VERY end of this valid period, but with latest models holding off the "main event" until around 06Z have opted to defer the introduction of any VCTS to later TAFs. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...NONE. KS...NONE. && DISCUSSION...Rossi AVIATION...Pfannkuch
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 345 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 040845- 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- 345 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Areas of fog will continue across the local area through the mid- morning hours with temporarily reduced visibilities below 1 mile possible through around 10 AM CDT. Additionally...a small chance for thunderstorms exists across the local area this morning...with an isolated strong storm containing small hail and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph not out of the question. Later today and into tonight...expect a complex of thunderstorms to develop across the high plains and track towards the local area during the late evening through overnight hours. The main time frame for possible severe storms is expected to come between 10 PM and 5 AM, and the main threats will be damaging wind gusts up to around 70 MPH, hail up to around ping pong ball size, and heavy rain of at least 1 to 2 inches in a short time, which could cause localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Periodic chances for thunderstorms will continue across the local area through next Wednesday. At this time, there will be a chance for severe storms both Friday and Saturday, although the greatest concern for more widespread severe storms appears to be late Saturday afternoon and evening. More details regarding this threat will be provided as it gets closer in time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report hail of any size, damaging thunderstorm wind gusts as well as flooding. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Rossi
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
431 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
KSZ006-031015-
Smith KS-
431 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Smith County
through 515 AM CDT...
At 431 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Athol, or 22 miles east of Phillipsburg, moving east at 30 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Smith Center around 440 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Bellaire and
Lebanon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3987 9904 4000 9854 4000 9851 3982 9850
3972 9851 3964 9894
TIME...MOT...LOC 0931Z 250DEG 28KT 3977 9890
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ThiesSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
449 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
NEZ060-072-073-031030-
Phelps NE-Dawson NE-Gosper NE-
449 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Phelps,
Gosper and Dawson Counties through 530 AM CDT...
At 448 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Willow Island to Stockville. Movement was
east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Cozad around 455 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Lexington and
Overton.
This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 209 and 249.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4105 10022 4105 10013 4088 9943 4081 9943
4035 9982 4035 10009 4044 10009 4044 9998
4070 9998 4070 10022
TIME...MOT...LOC 0948Z 286DEG 38KT 4095 10001 4052 10037
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ThiesSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
545 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
NEZ072-073-082-083-031130-
Phelps NE-Harlan NE-Gosper NE-Furnas NE-
545 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Phelps,
Gosper, Furnas and western Harlan Counties through 630 AM CDT...
At 543 AM CDT, Doppler radar and automated weather stations reported
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles northeast
of Medicine Creek Reservoir State Recreation Area to near Holbrook
to near Wilsonville. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Doppler Radar and Automated Weather Stations.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Arapahoe around 600 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Elwood, Edison,
Oxford, Smithfield, Bertrand, Orleans and Atlanta.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4035 10020 4035 10010 4044 10009 4044 9998
4070 9998 4070 9976 4068 9957 4037 9944
4000 9941 4000 10019
TIME...MOT...LOC 1043Z 250DEG 30KT 4048 10013 4023 10004 3991 9998
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ThiesThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:26 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Report of a flipped irrigation pivot relayed from social media via broadcast media.
Emergency management reported a few overturned pivots, tree damage and grain bin damage in the area, including one grain bin that was blown across the road from a farmstead. A wind gust of 78 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles south-southwest of Holdrege and a wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles south of Holdrege.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, August 2023
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: 1118224, 1118225.