Tornado and Hail in Nebraska, May 5, 2023

Name: Tornado and Hail in Nebraska, May 5, 2023
Start: 2023-05-05T16:00
End: 2023-05-05T23:53
Location: Nebraska

May 5, 2023 · NWS GID · 30 events in 9 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: $14 million
Crop damage: $2.5 million
Events: 30

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 GID wrote it up.

Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado occurred over portions of south central Nebraska, mainly west of Highway 281, during the afternoon through late evening hours. Initial development occurred roughly along the NE/KS state line between 1600-1700CDT, and was mainly in the form of supercells. By around 2200CDT, nearly a half-dozen supercells affected portions of south central Nebraska roughly along and south of Interstate 80 (I-80) and west of Highway 281 and produced scattered instances of large to very large hail. The largest hail reported was tennis ball in Franklin County, which was associated with one of the first supercells to form in the late afternoon. After the initial round of supercells, which weakened mostly below severe limits by 2230CDT, a squall line of thunderstorms moved into far western portions of the CWA between 2230-2300CDT. The primary severe threat with this activity was damaging wind gusts of 60-65MPH. However, embedded within the squall line was a brief EF-1 tornado that impacted the Johnson Lake area around 2300. A bow echo developed within the squall line between 2300-2400CDT over Dawson County then raced northeast and affected areas north of the Platte River over the next 60-90 minutes. This activity weakened as it exited NE portions of the CWA during the early morning hours of May 6th.

While there were no significant synoptic scale fronts or low pressure systems in the area of this event, the first round of scattered supercells developed along a remnant outflow boundary that was stalled near the NE/KS state line. The second round was a result of thunderstorms that developed over the High Plains which was then supported by an increasing low level jet as activity shifted east overnight. Through the entire event, there was moderately strong instability (2000-3000 J/kg of CAPE), strong deep layer shear around 40-45kt, and steep mid level lapse rates of 7-8C/km. 0-3km shear was also strong during this event, around 30kt, which supported the bow echo development across northern portions of the CWA during the evening hours.

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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 5, 2:40 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 5, 2:40 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
340 PM CDT Fri May 5 2023

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 337 PM CDT Fri May 5 2023

Key Messages:

* Severe thunderstorms possible across much of south central
  Nebraska and north central Kansas this afternoon into tonight.
  Large hail and severe wind gusts will be the main threats.

* Thunderstorms possible again next week, especially Tuesday night
  through next Friday.

* High temperatures Saturday through next Friday will generally
  range from the upper 70s to upper 80s.

Today and tonight...

An upper trough is over the western part of the country with another
upper low/trough over the Northern Midwest/southern Canada. Showers
and thunderstorms are developing across western, northern, and
eastern Nebraska. A lee surface trough is present across western
Nebraska and eastern Colorado and will move eastward during the
evening and overnight hours. High temperatures today will mostly be
in the 70s with some 80s across portions of southern Nebraska and
northern Kansas. Dewpoint temperatures are expected to be in the
upper 50s to lower 60s across most of the area by this evening with
CAPE values of generally 1000 to 2500 J/kg. The NAM12 is showing
surface CAPE values of over 3000 J/kg across parts of the area this
evening. Zero to six km bulk shear values will be 40 to 45 kts
according to the NAM12 with zero to three km bulk shear possibly
reaching 30 kts by this evening. Mid-level lapse rates will
generally be 7 to 8 degrees C/km. These conditions will allow for a
chance of severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening for
much of the area. Some of the models are showing storms initially
developing across southern Nebraska late this afternoon/early this
evening and moving northeastward. Large hail and severe wind gusts
will be the main threats with these storms. Storms are expected to
develop this evening into tonight across western Nebraska associated
with a shortwave. This area of storms will move either northeast or
east tonight over portions of central and possibly south central
Nebraska. Large hail and severe wind gusts will again be possible.
Low temperatures tonight will mostly be in the 50s.

Saturday through Tuesday...

The trough across the western portion of the country will connect
with the trough over the Upper Midwest on Saturday. Remaining
showers and storms will push out of the area Saturday morning
followed by westerly surface winds. The westerly winds along with
clearing skies will contribute to temperatures warming up into
mostly the 80s on Saturday. A weak cold front will move into the
area Saturday night resulting in lows from the mid 40s to upper 50s.
Sunday will be mostly dry with highs ranging from the upper 70s to
near 90. Rain and storms will be possible Monday and Tuesday as
shortwaves in the upper flow move over Nebraska and Kansas. High
temperatures for both days will be in the upper 70s to the upper
80s. Low temperatures will generally range from the mid 40s to upper
50s.

Wednesday through Friday...

An upper trough will be over the western part of the country on
Wednesday and will move eastward through next Friday. Rain and storm
chances increase beginning Tuesday night/Wednesday morning as an
upper disturbance ahead of the upper trough passes over the region.
Rain and storm chances will continue to be possible through next
Friday as upper lift over the area increases due to the approaching
trough. High temperatures will generally range from the upper 70s to
upper 80s. Low temperatures will mostly be in the 50s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Saturday)
Issued at 1228 PM CDT Fri May 5 2023

Ceilings are expected to become VFR by 21z but will likely lower
to IFR by 06z. These low ceilings will persist until at least mid
morning Saturday. TSRA is possible beginning late this afternoon
but confidence is low regarding if it will impact the terminals.
Winds will be fairly light and somewhat variable this afternoon
and will strengthen out of the southeast this evening. Winds will
become light and variable late tonight then will become westerly
by 18z Saturday.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...NONE.
KS...NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...Schuldt
AVIATION...Schuldt

Hazardous weather outlook, May 5, 3:00 PM CST, 1 hour before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
400 PM CDT Fri May 5 2023

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
062100-
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-
400 PM CDT Fri May 5 2023

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon into
tonight across much of south central Nebraska and portions of
Phillips, Smith, and Rooks Counties in north central Kansas. There
is a marginal risk of severe weather that includes most of the
rest of the area except Mitchell County in Kansas. The main
threats with these storms will be hail up to the size of golfballs
and wind gusts up to around 60 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Between Saturday and Thursday, there are several, on-and-off
chances for thunderstorms within various portions of the outlook
area. Please note that many of these chances will likely
fluctuate up or down in later forecasts, perhaps significantly,
as this will be a rather complex weather pattern with regard to
pinning down thunderstorm chances with much confidence, especially
more than a day or two in advance.

That being said, the least-favored time frame for thunderstorm
activity, especially of the widespread variety, should focus
between Saturday and Monday, and with an overall-low risk of
severe storms with any activity that might occur during that
time. Thereafter, a general increase in thunderstorm chances and
coverage is then expected Tuesday through Thursday, as a larger-
scale low pressure system gradually approaches from the west.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report any instances of hail, wind
gusts over 50 MPH, or any other possible severe weather that
might occur to the National Weather Service.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 hail, 8 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Harlan

When: May 5, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Harlan County, Alma
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 40.100, -99.350

Hail, Harlan

When: May 5, 4:15 PM CST to 4:25 PM CST
Where: Harlan County, 3 mi E of Alma to 1.48 mi SSW of Republican City
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.100, -99.293

Hail up to the size of half dollars was reported in the area.

Hail, Franklin

When: May 5, 4:45 PM CST to 5:05 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 2.1 mi NE of Naponee to 0.72 mi NNW of Bloomington
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.100, -99.120

Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported in the area. Hail up to nickel size was reported starting around 530 PM CDT, with the larger hail starting approximately 15 minutes later.

Hail, Franklin

When: May 5, 5:10 PM CST to 5:20 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, Franklin
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $4.0 million
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.100, -98.950

Hail up to the size of tennis balls was reported across Franklin. There were numerous reports of shredded trees, broken siding and windows and damage to vehicles.

Hail, Harlan

When: May 5, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Harlan County, 0.53 mi W of Stamford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 40.130, -99.590

Hail, Franklin

When: May 5, 5:53 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.87 mi SE of Riverton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.090, -98.760

Hail, Gosper

When: May 5, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 15.05 mi SSW of Elwood
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.410, -99.990

Hail, Harlan

When: May 5, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Harlan County, 0.69 mi S of Huntley
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.210, -99.280

Hail, Gosper

When: May 5, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 15.24 mi S of Elwood
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.380, -99.870

Hail, Gosper

When: May 5, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 11.36 mi SSW of Smithfield
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.420, -99.780

Hail, Gosper

When: May 5, 7:10 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 7.89 mi SSE of Smithfield
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.470, -99.690

Hail, Dawson

When: May 5, 7:44 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 0.87 mi SW of Cozad
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.860, -99.980

Hail, Phelps

When: May 5, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Phelps County, 0.53 mi E of Loomis
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.480, -99.510

Hail, Phelps

When: May 5, 8:10 PM CST
Where: Phelps County, 4.84 mi N of Holdrege Arpt
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 40.520, -99.330

Hail, Kearney

When: May 5, 9:04 PM CST
Where: Kearney County, 5.24 mi W of Newark
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.620, -99.080

Hail, Buffalo

When: May 5, 9:12 PM CST to 9:25 PM CST
Where: Buffalo County, 1.73 mi W of Kearney to 2.39 mi SW of (Ear)kearney Arpt
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $8.0 million
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.701, -99.113

Hail up to the size of ping pong balls was reported across Kearney.

Tornado, Dawson

When: May 5, 9:54 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 6.17 mi S of Darr to 6.61 mi SSW of Lexington Arpt
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.68 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.732, -99.901

A tornado developed within a line of thunderstorms northwest of Johnson Lake in far southern Dawson county just before 11:00 PM on Friday, May 5th. The tornado appeared to begin a couple miles northwest of the toppled three irrigation pivots before hitting the Lakeview Acres area on the northwest side of the lake. At least two large storage sheds were totally destroyed in that area. There were several instances of damage in the area, such as trees, smaller buildings, windows and some roof damage,|including two 2x4 stud driven into the roof of one home. The tornado traversed east across the lake and did significant damage to several homes on the east side of the lake right along the Gosper county line. Along the shore line, at least three homes in a row had all or part of a covered porch blown apart, and one home had a large section of its roof torn off. Another flat roof cabin had its entire roof torn off. A few power poles were snapped. Tree damage was common in this general area. The tornado moved east and upset an irrigation pivot and peeled back some metal roofing from a large building just east of the lake. The tornado likely dissipated east of County Road 428. The |maximum wind speed was estimated to be 95 MPH based upon the residential roof damage and the storage building being destroyed. The path was just under 5 miles long and the width was estimated to be 80 yards.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gosper

When: May 5, 9:56 PM CST
Where: Gosper County, 2.81 mi N of Elwood
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.640, -99.840

A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles south of Johnson Lake.

Hail, Dawson

When: May 5, 10:03 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 6.07 mi SW of Lexington Arpt
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.710, -99.840

Thunderstorm Wind, Dawson

When: May 5, 10:15 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 0.69 mi N of Lexington Arpt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.790, -99.770

A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by the Lexington Airport AWOS.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dawson

When: May 5, 10:24 PM CST
Where: Dawson County, 3.49 mi N of Sumner
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.000, -99.530

A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles north-northwest of Sumner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Phelps

When: May 5, 10:37 PM CST
Where: Phelps County, 10.42 mi N of Holdrege
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.600, -99.390

A wind gust of 63 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located eight miles south of Elm Creek.

Hail, Buffalo

When: May 5, 11:01 PM CST
Where: Buffalo County, Elm Creek
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.720, -99.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman

When: May 5, 11:06 PM CST
Where: Sherman County, 0.52 mi E of Loup City
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.280, -98.970

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH knocked down a flag pole and two large trees.

Hail, Buffalo

When: May 5, 11:08 PM CST
Where: Buffalo County, 2.14 mi SSW of Elm Creek
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.690, -99.380

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman

When: May 5, 11:12 PM CST
Where: Sherman County, 1.25 mi ESE of Sherman Res
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.310, -98.880

A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north of Sherman Reservoir.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman

When: May 5, 11:21 PM CST
Where: Sherman County, 5.51 mi NE of Sherman Res
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.380, -98.830

A wind gust of 73 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northeast of Sherman Reservoir.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greeley

When: May 5, 11:25 PM CST
Where: Greeley County, 1.24 mi ESE of Scotia
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.460, -98.700

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in some tree damage in Scotia and minor damage to a small backyard shed.

Hail, Buffalo

When: May 5, 11:28 PM CST
Where: Buffalo County, Glenwood Park
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.750, -99.080

Hail, Buffalo

When: May 5, 11:53 PM CST
Where: Buffalo County, 0.52 mi W of Miller
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.930, -99.390

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Nebraska, 2023 Warnings in Nebraska, May 2023

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: 1096880, 1096889, 1096907, 1096917, 1096919, 1096920, 1096921, 1096922, 1096923, 1096924, 1096925, 1096926, 1096927, 1096928, 1096929, 1096931, 1096954, 1096936, 1096937, 1096939, 1096941, 1096942, 1096943, 1096945, 1096944, 1096946, 1096948, 1096949, 1096950, 1096951.