Two separate rounds of severe weather impacted south central Nebraska on this day and brought a variety of severe weather. The first round of thunderstorms produced a combination of wind and hail along with the first flooding rains of the season.
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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 rounds of severe weather impacted south central Nebraska on this day and brought a variety of severe weather.
The first round of thunderstorms produced a combination of wind and hail along with the first flooding rains of the season. The flooding rain was thanks to a combination of the slow movement and the intense rainfall rates over the same area. Though there was plenty of water to go around, the flooding was largely confined to Nuckolls and Webster where several county roads sustained water damage. Water was flowing over a part of Highway 78 near the Kansas border for a time south of Guide Rock. While the rain was needed, the 4-6 rain amounts were too much for many small creeks and streams to handle. Once the storm thunderstorms did finally move, a bowing line segment in southwest Fillmore county produced a brief tornado southeast of Shickley. The EF0 rated tornado quickly developed and was on the ground for only a few minutes. Damage was minor, and mostly limited to trees and center pivot irrigation systems. Peak wind speed was estimated at 70 mph.
A second round of thunderstorms developed in central Nebraska during the evening and was more closely aligned to the upper level low pressure system in northeast Wyoming. The primary impact from these thunderstorms were wind gusts in the 60-mph range. However, as the line of storms started to bow north of Grand Island, a volunteer fireman from Elba captured video of a brief tornado southeast of his location in central Howard county. No damage was reported with either the straight line winds or the brief tornado.
Meteorologically speaking, an upper level low pressure system was located in northeast Wyoming. A shortwave moved across Kansas and into south central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. Surface low pressure in northwest Kansas had weakened some, but there was still ample south and southeast flow to transport low level moisture north resulting in surface dewpoints in the middle 60s as far north as north central Kansas. Though the deeper low-level moisture and surface instability was located in southern Kansas, strong frontogeneses in the 850-700 mb layer ahead of the short wave sparked a round of storms in the afternoon. Steep mid-level lapses (8C/KM) and strong effective bulk shear of 60 knots was quite favorable for rapid thunderstorm development. Closer to the instability axis near the Kansas/Nebraska border, large hail from elevated thunderstorms was the primary hazard initially, but slightly drier air to the north (sub 60-degree surface dewpoints) supported a localized wind damage risk with a second round of thunderstorms even after dark. Though the risk for tornadoes was greater to the south, strong low-level wind shear and an eventual transition to bowing line segments did become more favorable for brief tornadoes to form for a time.
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 18, 2:58 PM CST, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 358 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A couple waves of thunderstorms are expected this evening into the overnight hours. Some of these storms may have Large Hail, Damaging Winds and a tornado possible. - Thunderstorms are expected to develop Monday afternoon along/near Highway 281. These storms could be severe as well. - Cooler Tuesday and Tuesday night. Then warming to near climatic normals for late May. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 358 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025 The primary focus today has been on this evening and overnight thunderstorm/severe forecast. The models have been steady today, showing more coverage across south central Nebraska and north central Kansas, than yesterdays runs. The CAM guidance indicates the potential for a couple of rounds or waves of thunderstorms this evening and overnight. The first round will develop in the next hour or two, and arching across much of the forecast area, and moving from southwest to northeast with time. These storms could be severe as warm moist air continues to advect northward. These storms are likely to remain somewhat elevated at first. Instability decreases to the north, but shear remains plentiful. On its heels, the next round is firing as of 3:45 PM from northeast Colorado southwest to west of Dodge City, KS. These storms are expected to be severe. These storms will be round two moving towards the area this evening with the chance for supercells with very large hail, tornadoes and damaging winds. Some of these storms, especially those that begin in far NE Colorado could persist and become a line and move eastward during the overnight hours. Tomorrow, the whole system will move eastward. A lull in activity is expected during the morning hours, but then storms could fire along the dryline, as well as the cold front, which will be slightly behind the dryline. There remains a question on where the convection will develop, but the most favored area is along and and east of Highway 281 and track eastward during the afternoon and evening hours. An additional question is how will today's convection and any outflow boundaries impact the evolution of tomorrow's convection. Beyond these two days of severe weather, cooler air will settle in with highs in the 50s and 60s. Lows Wednesday morning in central Nebraska could bring a chance for some frost. The remainder of the forecast, there are a few chances for precipitation off and on and temperatures will be in the 70s generally. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1238 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025 For KGRI/KEAR Airports: VFR TAFs this afternoon before thunderstorms are expected to move into the terminals from the south/southwest. East/southeast winds are breezy this afternoon with gusts exceeding 30kts at times. These breezy southeasterly winds will persist through the afternoon and evening hours. Thunderstorms will likely be present at least off and on from approximately 23z to 03-04z. Low MVFR to IFR ceilings are expected during the overnight hours. Winds are expected to shift to the west/northwest around mid-day on Monday. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. KS...None. && DISCUSSION...Billings Wright AVIATION...Billings Wright
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 326 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 192030- 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- 326 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to move from the southwest to the northeast across the area this afternoon through the evening and into tonight. Some of these storms are likely to be severe, and the strongest storms may produce hail over 2 inches in diameter, isolated tornadoes, and localized wind gusts up to 60 MPH. The main timeframe for severe weather is between 4pm to 3am. Severe weather is possible across the entire area, but the most favored area for very large hail and tornadoes is southwest of a line from Lexington to Hebron. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to redevelop on Monday, and some of these may also become severe. The highest risk is expected to be near and east of Highway 281 in the 3pm to 10pm timeframe. The primary hazard will be large hail, but an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out. Patchy frost is possible as temperatures fall into the mid 30s in areas north and west of the tri-cities Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Off and on chances for thunderstorms return to the area for the Memorial Day weekend. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Billings Wright
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
511 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
KSZ017-018-182315-
Rooks KS-Osborne KS-
511 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ROOKS AND OSBORNE COUNTIES
THROUGH 615 PM CDT...
At 510 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Emmeram, moving north at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Natoma around 520 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Alton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3913 9960 3957 9953 3957 9849 3913 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 189DEG 49KT 3903 9910
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
StumpSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
532 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
NEZ082-182300-
Furnas NE-
532 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL FURNAS COUNTY THROUGH
600 PM CDT...
At 531 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Hendley, or 13 miles north of Norton, moving north at
45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Hendley around 535 PM CDT.
Arapahoe around 550 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4035 9971 4000 9983 4000 10004 4035 10007
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 184DEG 41KT 4003 9995
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RossiPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
549 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0538 PM Hail Alton 39.47N 98.94W
05/18/2025 M1.00 Inch Osborne KS Trained Spotter
Spotter reports quarter sized hail in Alton.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
552 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0552 PM Hail Gaylord 39.65N 98.85W
05/18/2025 E0.70 Inch Smith KS Trained Spotter
Spotter reports dime sized hail in Gaylord.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
556 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM Hail 13 SSW Osborne 39.28N 98.81W
05/18/2025 M0.70 Inch Osborne KS Public
&&
SRThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:25 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail, 2 flash flood, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles west-northwest of Macon.
A wind gust of 68 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located eight miles south-southwest of Overton.
A wind gust of 65 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles southwest of Boelus.
Strong thunderstorms dropped as much as 4 to 6 inches of heavy rain across the area. Rural roads in the area were affected by running water, as were a portion of Highway 78/128 near the border of Webster County, NE and Jewell County, KS and a portion of Highway 281 in Smith County, KS. Some of the highest measured rain totals included: 5.62 inches from nine miles north-northwest of Burr Oak, KS; 5.61 inches from three miles east of Guide Rock, NE; 5.60 inches from six miles north of Esbon; 4.84 inches from four miles north-northwest of Bostwick.
Strong thunderstorms dropped as much as 4 to 6 inches of heavy rain across the area. Rural roads in the area were affected by running water, as were a portion of Highway 78/128 near the border of Webster County, NE and Jewell County, KS and a portion of Highway 281 in Smith County, KS. Some of the highest measured rain totals included: 5.62 inches from nine miles north-northwest of Burr Oak, KS; 5.61 inches from three miles east of Guide Rock, NE; 5.60 inches from six miles north of Esbon; 4.84 inches from four miles north-northwest of Bostwick.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 75 MPH resulted in 11 empty train cars being pushed off of the track.
Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in a few overturned irrigation pivots in the area.
This short path tornado rapidly developed near the Salem Mennonite Church located southeast of Shickley, as seen by minor damage to the church grounds and to nearby center irrigation pivot systems. The tornado traveled north along or just west of Road 9, causing minor tree damage before lifting a mile or so north of Highway 74. The peak wind was estimated to be 70 MPH, based on the combination of the tree and pivot damage.
A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by the Grand Island Central Nebraska Regional Airport ASOS.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile west-southwest of Wood River.
A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles west-southwest of Wood River.
A wind gust of 68 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles southeast of Eddyville.
Emergency management estimated wind gusts near 60 MPH.
This tornado was seen by local storm spotters approximately four miles west-northwest of St. Paul, who took a brief video of the tornado. No damage was documented with this tornado.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Nebraska, 2025Warnings in Nebraska, May 2025
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: 1270132, 1270133, 1270120, 1270121, 1270123, 1270124, 1270125, 1270384, 1270391, 1270136, 1270137, 1270138, 1270128, 1270129, 1270130, 1270122, 1270126, 1270139.