Hail in Kansas, June 18, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
304 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe thunderstorms that have developed along the
  cold front this afternoon are expected to persist into this
  evening. Initial storms may be capable of producing hail to
  the size of two inches, but the greater threat will be wind
  gusts up to 70 mph. An isolated tornado/landspout cannot be
  ruled out as well. The main timeframe for possible severe
  weather will be between 3PM and 10PM today.

- After the severe threat diminishes late this evening, more
  widespread non-severe showers and thunderstorms are expected
  to fill in across the region, with rainfall totals of 1-2
  inches...with locally higher amounts...possible. This could
  result in localized flooding.

- Much cooler temperatures (60s and low 70s) and continued
  unsettled weather is expected Wednesday. Temperatures will
  return to normal (mid-80s) and above normal (90s) by the end
  of the week and through the weekend. Additionally...off and on
  low end thunderstorm chances will be possible across at least
  part of the forecast area each day.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 215 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

This afternoon and evening...

The main story with this forecast involves the showers and
thunderstorms that have already developed along the boundary of
a cold front moving east through the forecast area. Some of
these storms are expected to be strong to severe. Initially
late this afternoon hail to the size of two inches may be
possible in the strongest storms, but more likely hail sizes
would be closer to the size of quarters or half dollars. The
more widespread threat, especially as these storms evolve into a
more linear system, will be damaging winds up to 70 mph. An
isolated brief tornado/landspout or two may be possible as well,
but chances are low. The main timeframe of severe weather will
be 3PM to 10PM. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for
areas of the forecast area roughly along and east of a line from
Belgrade to Shelton to Stamford in south central Nebraska and
across all of our north central Kansas counties, until 8PM this
evening. This includes the towns of Grand Island and Hastings,
but does not quite extend to the town of Kearney.

Tonight and Wednesday...
As the chance for severe weather diminishes late this evening,
an upper level disturbance will swing across the area tonight
and Wednesday. As this moves over the frontal boundary, this
will enhance the chances for more widespread rain and
thunderstorms across the area...and potentially rainfall amounts
of 1-2 inches mainly approximately from the tri-cities and areas
south and east of that in south central Nebraska, and across the
entirety of north central Kansas. Locally heavier rainfall may
be possible south and east and this could result in localized
flooding. Temperatures on Wednesday will remain cool with highs
in the 60s across the area.

Thursday and Friday...
Another front is expected to move across the area Thursday,
then somewhat stall north of the area Friday. This will bring
shower and thunderstorm chances to much of the area Thursday,
and to northern portions of the forecast area Friday evening.
Weak upper level ridging will allow temperatures to warm back to
normal to above normal temperatures, with highs in the 80s
(normal) Thursday and in the 80s and low 90s Friday.

This weekend...
Generally, an upper level trough will move across the area
Saturday followed by an approaching ridge Sunday. Periodic low
chances of showers and thunderstorms are forecast each day, but
currently it looks like most of the area should remain dry most
of the time. High temperatures will be in the 80s and 90s across
the area. Low end chances for showers and thunderstorms continue
into early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1221 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

A cold front moving through the area today and Wednesday will
bring mainly MVFR CIGS (IFR CIGS possible later in the period) and
periods of SHRA and TSRA to the TAF sites throughout the TAF
period. -TSRA is expected to develop near the TAF sites this
afternoon around 18/19Z or so...included a TEMPO group for -TSRA
to try to narrow down expected impacts at the terminals. Latest
models have SHRA/TSRA much of the time over southern and eastern
portions of the forecast area (including KGRI) with potentially
another round moving into KEAR late this evening overnight
(which is why VCTS is included for KGRI through the majority of
the period but there is a period where we left VCTS off in
relation to KEAR). TSRA activity should decrease around sunrise
across the area but showers and embedded thunderstorms will
persist through 19/18Z. Around 19/12Z CIGS are expected to
deteriorate further into IFR conditions.

Winds: Winds will become northwesterly as the cold front passes
through (around 18Z-19Z today at KGRI). There will be isolated
gusts of 20-25 kts through the afternoon, becoming 10-15 kts
sustained through the evening. Tonight into Wednesday morning,
winds will become northeasterly, also at 10-15 kts.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
KS...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hickford
AVIATION...Hickford

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
212 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
191915-
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-
212 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

A cold front moving across the area this afternoon and evening has
begun to trigger shower and thunderstorm activity this afternoon,
and thunderstorms will persist into the evening and overnight
hours. A few of these storms may be severe with hail up to 2
inches in diameter and winds to 70 mph with the strongest storms.
Chances for tornadoes are low, but we cannot rule out a brief weak
tornado or landspout. The most likely timeframe for severe weather
will be from 3PM to 10PM this evening.

In addition to the chance for severe weather...localized heavy
rainfall is possible with this system...with rainfall totals of 1
to 2 inches...along with locally higher amounts...expected. While
widespread flooding is not a concern, localized flooding will be
possible with the heaviest showers and thunderstorms...especially
this evening and late tonight as a secondary surge in showers and
thunderstorms develops across western Kansas and surges
northeastward across the local area.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Periodic chances for thunderstorms exist across at least portions
of the local area each day through next Monday. The best chance
for more widespread activity is expected to be across south
central Nebraska Wednesday evening and night, and while this
activity does not appear severe, localized flooding on top of
already saturated soils will be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Reports of localized flooding, hail of any size, or damaging wind
gusts are always appreciated.

&&

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
422 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

KSZ017>019-182215-
Rooks KS-Osborne KS-Mitchell KS-
422 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MITCHELL...
SOUTHEASTERN ROOKS AND OSBORNE COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM CDT...

At 421 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
capable of producing a landspout along a line extending from near
Harlan to near Natoma. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Landspouts, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
         could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
         objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Natoma around 425 PM CDT.
  Portis around 430 PM CDT.
  Osborne around 435 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these storms include Downs and Cawker
City.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Although typically weaker and shorter lived than tornadoes associated
with organized supercell thunderstorms, landspout tornadoes can still
cause injury or minor damage. Landspouts develop as a surface front
or wind shift line interact with a towering cumulus cloud or
developing thunderstorms. Landspouts are not usually associated with
a wall cloud and are often difficult to detect with weather radar.

If a landspout is sighted, first take any necessary tornado safety
precautions, and then report the landspout activity to the National
Weather Service in Hastings and local law enforcement.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
north central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3913 9929 3957 9904 3957 9827 3913 9857
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 269DEG 24KT 3954 9882 3917 9910

LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Thies

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
439 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

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

0344 PM     Hail             5 NNE Ayr               40.50N 98.40W
06/18/2024  E1.00 Inch       Adams              NE   Trained Spotter

            Corrects previous hail report from 5 NNE
            Ayr. Mostly nickel & dime, a few up to
            quarters. -Corrected for time.

&&

KS

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
442 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

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

0413 PM     Hail             1 W Harvard             40.62N 98.11W
06/18/2024  E0.88 Inch       Clay               NE   Trained Spotter

&&

KS

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
444 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

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

0438 PM     Hail             4 NNE Sutton            40.66N 97.82W
06/18/2024  E0.50 Inch       Fillmore           NE   Public

&&

KS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
456 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

NEZ041-047-048-182245-
Merrick NE-Nance NE-Howard NE-
456 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN NANCE...NORTHWESTERN
MERRICK AND EASTERN HOWARD COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM CDT...

At 455 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dannebrog, or 12 miles north of Grand Island, moving northeast at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Palmer around 510 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4141 9790 4105 9833 4105 9855 4108 9861
      4139 9834 4140 9829 4145 9829 4148 9827
      4148 9810 4149 9810 4150 9806
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 217DEG 33KT 4109 9845

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

Thies

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
509 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

NEZ049-064-076-077-086-087-182300-
Thayer NE-Nuckolls NE-Clay NE-York NE-Polk NE-Fillmore NE-
509 PM CDT Tue Jun 18 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN CLAY...NUCKOLLS...YORK...
FILLMORE...WESTERN THAYER AND EASTERN POLK COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM
CDT...

At 509 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Waco to Superior. Movement was northeast at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Geneva, Fairmont, Shickley, Davenport, Ruskin, Oak, and Nora
  around 515 PM CDT.
  Exeter and Carleton around 520 PM CDT.
  Strang around 525 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these storms include Deshler, Bruning,
Milligan, Ohiowa and Belvidere.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 344 and 365.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
north central Kansas...and south central and east central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4000 9773 4000 9827 4070 9788 4070 9782
      4076 9782 4138 9740 4139 9737 4049 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 2209Z 243DEG 29KT 4089 9743 4004 9805

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Thies