Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, June 15, 2025

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, June 15, 2025
Start: 2025-06-15T16:34
End: 2025-06-15T18:10
Location: Nebraska

June 15, 2025 · NWS CYS · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms impacted the southern Nebraska panhandle the evening of June 15th. The primary impact was strong winds.

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: 6

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 CYS wrote it up.

Severe thunderstorms impacted the southern Nebraska panhandle the evening of June 15th. The primary impact was strong winds.

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 Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 15, 12:45 PM MST, 3 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Another round of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms is expected this afternoon and evening over the High Plains.
Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase for Monday and Tuesday with continued potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall.
Warm to hot temperatures are expected through Monday before a modest cool down on Tuesday. Well above average temperatures are expected to return late in the week.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 12:45 PM MST, 3 hours 49 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
145 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another round of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms is
  expected this afternoon and evening over the High Plains.

- Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase for Monday
  and Tuesday with continued potential for isolated to scattered
  strong to severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall.

- Warm to hot temperatures are expected through Monday before a
  modest cool down on Tuesday. Well above average temperatures
  are expected to return late in the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 145 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

The stubborn stormy weather pattern continues today across the area.
GOES water vapor imagery shows an area of increased midlevel
moisture moving over Carbon and Albany counties this afternoon with
mostly clear skies over the High Plains. This is kicking up ahead of
a broad but subtle upper level shortwave moving across the Northern
Rockies over the top of the strong upper level ridge today.
Temperatures are surging to some of the hottest values of 2025 so
far across the area under the axis of the ridge. A few locations are
already pushing 90F and should crest in the lower 90s early this
afternoon. The CIN that reduced our severe weather potential
yesterday is still in place today, but it is noticeably weaker than
it was 24 hours ago, particularly over the Nebraska panhandle. This
is likely coming from an elevated dry mixed layer positioned on top
of a slightly more moist near surface boundary layer. The warmer
temperatures in the near surface layer combined with improved
moisture flow with steady southerlies over the Nebraska panhandle
are likely why the CIN is slightly weaker. Vertical wind shear has
also come up slightly thanks to the approaching shortwave to our
northwest. Overall, this points to another round of scattered strong
to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Cumulus activity
is already pushing up across southeast Wyoming, but probably will
take another 1-2 hours to get going. The stronger CIN and weaker
instability may cause storms to struggle initially until they
encounter a more favorable environment over the Nebraska panhandle.
While there is the potential for a low-end scenario similar to what
we saw yesterday, the probability of this failure mode is lower than
what it was yesterday. The main concerns are strong, gusty winds and
isolated large hail once again, but there is sufficient low-level
wind shear to get a quick tornado spin-up.

Showers and storms should depart fairly quickly by around 9PM this
evening and lead to partly cloudy skies overnight as a few mid-level
clouds drift through the area. Monday will another round of severe
storm potential across the area, but the setup looks different from
what we saw the last several days. Today's shortwave ejecting east
of the Rockies well to our north will push in a weak surface high
from the northeast Monday morning, replenishing the low-level
moisture up to the Laramie Range. Meanwhile, a stronger upper level
shortwave trough will begin to suppress the ridge and deliver
improved upper level moisture above 500-mb with a modest tap from
the Pacific. As a result, expect stronger deep layer shear along
with much higher precipitable water values climbing closer to the
climatological 90th percentile. Southwest flow ahead of the trough
will also produce modest overrunning lift across the area. A dry
layer is still expected around 700-mb which will likely provide
another modest cap through much of the daytime hours. There is then
the same uncertainty in whether the cap will break and allow for
strong to severe thunderstorms to develop, but the environment looks
fairly potent for any storm that manages to break through. A second
phase will continue late into Monday evening or even after midnight
as isentropic lift continues and helps to moisten the elevated mixed
layer. This will lead to an unusually potent severe weather
environment well into the evening hours. Without the diurnal lift,
coverage may be limited, but the environment could support isolated
supercell thunderstorms. The stalled frontal boundary will surge
westward late Monday night, bringing higher surface dewpoints into
the valleys of Carbon and Albany county by Tuesday morning and
possibly some fog along the Laramie range and/or the Cheyenne
ridge.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 145 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

The trough passage on Monday sets us up for severe
weather chances on Tuesday. Model guidance (3 globals) depict some
cyclogenesis occurring Tuesday developing from this passage. If
cyclogenesis occurs this will likely provide enough synoptic support
to kick start some storm development in the afternoon. However, we
will have a little bit less energy but a little more moisture to
play with on Tuesday. MUCAPE is set at 2000 joules with 1800 of that
being MLCAPE. Model soundings are showing a very pronounced inverted
V sounding indicative of severe winds with 687 joules of DCAPE. Once
again our effective shear is a little lower with a progged speed of
26 knots. Again there are a couple progged lobes of vorticity
allowing some enhancement of the storms as well. SPC has us in a
marginal risk for severe weather on Tuesday. Wednesday, A broad
ridge sets up over us and turns the heat back up into the 80's for
Wednesday. The models have taken CAPE and vorticity lobes out of our
area in today's model runs. Makes sense for the setup as the
subsident flow under a ridge suppresses almost all convection.
There is still a weak shortwave that passes through the
intermountain west. However, given the westerly flow and
increased subsidence we look to be getting a few more clouds to
possibly develop and a maybe a slight breeze. This ridge is
expected to last through at least Friday and possibly Saturday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1248 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

Another round of widely scattered strong to severe thunderstorms
is expected this afternoon and early evening. Activity will
develop in WY around 2PM, and may bring lightning and gusty
winds to WY terminals in the mid to late afternoon. A brief VIS
reduction is possible if a storm goes directly over a terminal.
Confidence is fairly low so this is handled with PROB30 groups.

Storms will move across the Nebraska panhandle around 5PM to 9PM
with a higher probability of thunderstorm impacts at NE
terminals. Strong, gusty, and erratic winds along with frequent
lightning and a VIS drop in moderate to heavy rainfall are
possible. Additionally, storms may bring isolated hail.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...None.
NE...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...MN
LONG TERM...MM
AVIATION...MN

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 15, 12:50 PM MST, 3 hours 44 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
150 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>119-162000-
Dawes County-Box Butte County-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County-
Morrill County-Kimball County-Cheyenne County-
Northern Sioux County-Southern Sioux County-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Carbon County-
North Snowy Range Foothills-Southwest Carbon County-
Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range-
Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
150 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of panhandle
Nebraska...east central Wyoming...south central Wyoming and
southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

- Another round of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms is
  expected this afternoon and evening over the High Plains. Storms
  will have the potential to produce strong winds and isolated
  large hail. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

- Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase for Monday
  and Tuesday with continued potential for isolated to scattered
  strong to severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall.

- Warm to hot temperatures are expected through Monday before a
  modest cool down on Tuesday. Well above average temperatures
  are expected to return late in the week.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather to the National
Weather Service.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 15, 2:02 PM MST, 2 hours 32 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
302 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

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

0302 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Laramie             41.32N 105.67W
06/15/2025  M58 MPH          Albany             WY   ASOS

            KLAR gusty 58 mph under a gusty shower.

&&

Local storm report, Jun 15, 2:04 PM MST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
304 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

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

0302 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Laramie             41.32N 105.67W
06/15/2025  M58 MPH          Albany             WY   ASOS

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
            from 5 W Laramie. KLAR gusted 58 mph under a
            gusty shower.

&&

Local storm report, Jun 15, 2:18 PM MST, 2 hours 16 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
318 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

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

0306 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 W Laramie             41.32N 105.67W
06/15/2025  M75 MPH          Albany             WY   ASOS

            KLAR briefly gusted 75mph under a gusty
            shower over the airport.

&&

Local storm report, Jun 15, 3:01 PM MST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
401 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

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

0344 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 SSE Garrett          41.97N 105.52W
06/15/2025  M52 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            Mesonet site at Dodge Creek gusted 52mph.

&&

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 3:58 PM MST, 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
458 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

WYZ108-118-119-152345-
Goshen County WY-Central Laramie County WY-East Laramie County WY-
458 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN GOSHEN AND NORTHEASTERN
LARAMIE COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM MDT...

At 457 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gun Barrel, or 28 miles northeast of Cheyenne, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Gun Barrel and Meriden Rest Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4136 10460 4157 10454 4156 10415 4129 10421
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 280DEG 15KT 4147 10447

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

MM

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 4:27 PM MST, 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
527 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

WYZ119-160000-
East Laramie County WY-
527 PM MDT Sun Jun 15 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LARAMIE COUNTY
THROUGH 600 PM MDT...

At 526 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Panorama Point, or 27 miles
southwest of Kimball, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Landspouts and wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern
Laramie County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4109 10419 4110 10411 4100 10406 4100 10417
TIME...MOT...LOC 2326Z 336DEG 28KT 4104 10412

LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Mose

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 129 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotts Bluff

When: June 15, 4:34 PM MST
Where: Scotts Bluff County, (Bff)helig Field
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.870, -103.590

KBFF reported 61 mph gust.

Hail, Kimball

When: June 15, 5:01 PM MST
Where: Kimball County, Dix
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.230, -103.490

Storm Chaser reporting ping pong ball sized hail in Dix.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: June 15, 5:34 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 1 mi E of Potter
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.220, -103.300

Storm chaser estimating 60 mph winds with half inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: June 15, 5:35 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 1 mi W of Brownson
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.190, -103.130

Mesonet near Brownson reported a 62 mph gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: June 15, 5:51 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 2 mi N of Huntsman
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.250, -102.970

Emergency manager estimated gusts of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: June 15, 6:10 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, (Sny)sidney Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.100, -102.990

KSNY reported 58 mph gust.

What these are

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

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, June 2025

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: 1262673, 1262671, 1262674, 1262675, 1262676, 1262677.