Severe thunderstorms produced isolated and brief strong wind gusts during the late afternoon and evening hours of June 26th in western Nebraska. Flash flooding was also reported near Scottsbluff and Bridgeport Nebraska.
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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 CYS wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms produced isolated and brief strong wind gusts during the late afternoon and evening hours of June 26th in western Nebraska. Flash flooding was also reported near Scottsbluff and Bridgeport 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 Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 26, 4:25 PM MST, 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 525 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a Slight Risk (2 of 5) of strong to severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Isolated large hail and strong gusty winds are possible east of Interstate 25. - Warming temperatures, falling humidity, and increasing winds will increase fire weather concerns this weekend into early next week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 121 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026 Development is beginning this afternoon generally along the front range and just east where a stationary boundary is located. We should see instability rise once again through the afternoon hours, with some light shear currently present but should be strengthening into the evening hours with bulk shear around 30-50 knots. With this environment, it appears that widely scattered thunderstorms will be possible in the next couple of hours and continue into the evening, with large hail and strong wind gusts the primary hazards. Into Saturday we'll see the dryline move eastwards and bring a much drier environment across the CWA. The one exception to this could be our far eastern Nebraska Panhandle counties, which could see some development during the later afternoon and evening hours, but with how dry low levels will be expectation is that this activity should either be ramping up in this area and will be strongest just east of these counties, or may even be dry in nature as better moisture remains just east. In either case, we should be seeing a break from the stronger storm activity, with daytime relative humidity values back down into the teens and breezy winds accompanying. This should bring an elevated fire weather threat to the area, with the strongest risk for our zones west of the Laramie Range as strong wind gusts are expected with the 700mb jet strengthening to around 45-50 knots. Currently we do not anticipate a Red Flag Warning as last reported fuels remain green, however with how strong these winds may be combined with the dry conditions we are still considering breaking the glass for a warning across this area. Will consult with the evening and nighttime shifts, but a decision may not be made until tomorrow morning. Sunday we'll see a shortwave rounding the base of the larger western US trough moving across the area with the bulk of the best moisture and storm parameters to the north. This will bring a sliver of a marginal risk for stronger storms across our northern zones, but for the most part we'll only have a slight risk of some showers or possible storms in a mostly mediocre environment. Breezy winds expected again from the low-level jet kicking in, but RH values should slightly increase and limit critical fire weather conditions, with an elevated environment expected. Otherwise expect a meager cold front pass across the region through the day, with highs west of the Laramie Range just under or around 80 degrees, with further east highs sit in the 80's to low 90's, but descending as we move into the long term period. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 121 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026 The persistent troughing that has been glued to the northwest the better part of the weekend will still be with us to start off the long-term. A strong shortwave on the southern end of this trough will swing by Sunday night into Monday morning with a cold front. We will start off Monday on the backside of the front with winds shifting from the northwest and drier continental air advecting in. High temperatures will be slightly cooler than Sunday's, reaching the upper 70s west and 80s east. Skies should stay mostly clear and winds breezy up to 45-50 mph in some portions of the area. Some high wind conditions may show up along the Laramie Range near the Wheatland area. Most will see gust up to 30 mph. Despite the rainfall we have received the last few days, fuels remain dry in the Nebraska and most eastern Wyoming firezones. The anticipated conditions do incite some concerns in elevated wildland fire possibilities that basically stick around the rest of the long-term period. Tuesday sees much the same as Monday. Winds relax slightly as the shortwave moves off to the northeast and a ridge axis noses in. This will also mark the start of a warming trend through at least Friday, if not longer. Another shortwave associated with the larger troughing will swing by Tuesday. At the surface enough return flow out of the southeast may allow a few storms to develop as the shortwave moves overhead, primarily for the eastern areas. Past Tuesday temperatures continue to increase each day with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Bulk windshear stays elevated through this period, so I wouldn't discount some risk of severe thunderstorms. Unfortunately after Friday global ensemble models are hinting at a large upper level high pressure system developing and persisting. If this is indeed the reality of the very long term, we could be in for a long period of hot and dry weather. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 525 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026 Thunderstorms are beginning to take shape across the CWA this afternoon, with a complex heading towards KBFF. Elsewhere, isolated thunderstorms are moving across the region and may impact KCYS, KCDR, KSNY and KAIA in the next hour or so. Therefore, PROB30 groups are in the aforementioned TAFs through about 04Z this evening. Expect gusty and erratic winds in any storm that goes over a terminal or comes in the VC of one. TS activity should begin to wind down after 04Z this evening, but expect winds to remain gusty in the 25 to 35 knot range. Outside of TS activity, VFR conditions will prevail otherwise. && .CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WY...None. NE...None. && SHORT TERM...CG LONG TERM...RV AVIATION...RZ
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
529 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
WYZ101-102-270000-
Converse County Lower Elevations WY-Niobrara County WY-
529 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL NIOBRARA AND EAST CENTRAL
CONVERSE COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM MDT...
At 528 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles southwest of Manning Ranch to 10 miles
northeast of Lusk. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.
Locations impacted include...
Lance Creek and Manning Ranch.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
east central Wyoming.
&&
LAT...LON 4307 10405 4306 10405 4282 10428 4279 10517
4309 10495
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 227DEG 14KT 4285 10501 4286 10432
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GoatleySpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
531 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
WYZ106>108-116>118-270000-
East Platte County WY-South Laramie Range WY-
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County WY-
Goshen County WY-Central Laramie County WY-
South Laramie Range Foothills WY-
531 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ALBANY...
SOUTHWESTERN GOSHEN...NORTHWESTERN LARAMIE AND SOUTHWESTERN PLATTE
COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM MDT...
At 531 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles north of Whitaker, or 30 miles north of Cheyenne, moving east
at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Chugwater, Whitaker, and Horse Creek.
This includes Interstate 25 in Wyoming between mile markers 28 and
60.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
southeastern Wyoming.
&&
LAT...LON 4127 10527 4164 10535 4182 10480 4146 10456
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 247DEG 22KT 4158 10494
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
VasquezSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
534 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
NEZ055-270000-
Cheyenne NE-
534 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CHEYENNE COUNTY
THROUGH 600 PM MDT...
At 534 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lorenzo, or 8 miles south of Sidney, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.
Locations impacted include...
Sidney, Colton, Sidney Municipal Airport, Lorenzo, and Cheyenne
County Fairgrounds.
This includes Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 53 and
66.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
the Panhandle of Nebraska.
&&
LAT...LON 4128 10307 4118 10275 4100 10293 4100 10310
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 206DEG 17KT 4102 10303
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GoatleyPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
539 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0534 PM Hail 8 S Gering 41.71N 103.68W
06/26/2026 M0.75 Inch Scotts Bluff NE Storm Chaser
Penny sized hail reported on Hwy71.
&&
RVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
554 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
WYZ101-102-270030-
Converse County Lower Elevations WY-Niobrara County WY-
554 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN NIOBRARA AND
NORTHEASTERN CONVERSE COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM MDT...
At 554 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles southwest of Rochelle to 6 miles west
of Fort Fetterman Historic Site. Movement was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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.
Locations impacted include...
Bill and Dull Center.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
east central Wyoming.
&&
LAT...LON 4350 10473 4286 10522 4287 10573 4350 10524
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 270DEG 22KT 4351 10507 4284 10561
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
VasquezPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
555 PM MDT Fri Jun 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM Flash Flood 6 SSW Gering 41.76N 103.71W
06/26/2026 Scotts Bluff NE Trained Spotter
Video from trained spotter/social media
showed water flowing over roadway with mud
and debris.
&&
NBThe Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:53 UTC.
3 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Videos from a trained spotter and social media showed water flowing over roadway with mud and debris.
Nebraska Mesonet site gusted to 60 mph well ahead of a thunderstorm.
Video of street flooding ongoing in downtown Bridgeport. 1.5 to 2.0 inches of rain fell in a short period of time according to spotters and spotter rain gauges. The highest total was 1.77 inches of rain around Bridgeport.
Social media image showed rain gauge measurement of 1.75 inches.
Spotter near Scottsbluff Nebraska reported a gust of 60 MPH.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, June 2026
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: 1339064, 1339066, 1339062, 1339063, 1339065.