Hail in Nebraska, June 28 to 29, 2026

Name: Hail in Nebraska, June 28 to 29, 2026
Start: 2026-06-28T20:52
End: 2026-06-29T00:48
Location: Nebraska

June 28 to 29, 2026 · NWS LBF · 8 events in 2 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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 LBF wrote it up.

Isolated thunderstorms developed along a stationary front during the early evening hours of June 28. Storms intensified into the mid evening hours with hail up to the size of base balls being reported over northern Sheridan County. Severe storms continued through 1 AM MDT on June 29th before lifting north into southern South Dakota.

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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 28, 5:07 PM CST, 3 hours 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

A few strong thunderstorms are possible tonight across the northwest Sandhills.
Thunderstorm chances will persists each day Tuesday through Saturday, mainly during the evening hours. Highs mostly from the upper 90s to low 90s.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 28, 5:07 PM CST, 3 hours 45 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
607 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A few strong thunderstorms are possible tonight across the
  northwest Sandhills.

- Thunderstorm chances will persists each day Tuesday through Saturday,
  mainly during the evening hours. Highs mostly from the upper
  90s to low 90s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 146 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

Tonight...an upper trough will be in place across the Intermountain
West, and and upper ridge centered over the Southeastern U.S. Deep
surface low pressure near 988mb across northeast CO, moving into
northern NE late tonight. A few strong storms are possible across
the far northwest Sandhills overnight. A weak cold front will move
into the panhandle later tonight. Lows coolest in the upper 50s far
northwest, to the low 70s far southeast.

Monday and Monday night...a shortwave trough will move across the
Northern Plains Monday, which will push a weak cold front through
the forecast area. This will bring westerly winds and lower
dewpoints from the upper 30s to low 50s across the west. For fire
weather concerns, the far northwest Sandhills will see afternoon
humidity fall in the upper teens and westerly winds gusting to 30
mph will create elevated fire concerns.

A frontal boundary will extend front near Sioux City IA through
Colby KS by early evening. This will be a focus for thunderstorms
southeast of the area during the evening. After midnight the front
will lift north as a low level jet increases, bringing a slight
chance for elevated thunderstorms to eastern portions of north
central NE.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 146 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

Upper troughing across the Western U.S, and a strong upper ridge
across the Southeastern U.S. will persist through Friday and keep
western Nebraska in southwesterly flow aloft each day. Storm
development will be focused during the evening and overnight through
Thursday night, as a frontal boundary meanders across the region
each day. Tuesday looks to have the best potential for thunderstorms
with a frontal boundary located just southeast of the forecast area.
Deep moisture will be transport from the Southern High Plains into
the region on tuesday as a disturbance lifts northeast. Chance to
likely POPs remain in the forecast. Lesser chances Wednesday and
Thursday.

Highs 85 to 90 Tuesday and Wednesday should return to the upper 80s
to low 90s Thursday and the low to mid 90s Friday, cooling back to
the mid to upper 80s by next Sunday.

Looking into Friday through Sunday for Independence Day weekend, an
upper trough will approach the Northern Plains Friday, and cross the
Northern and Central Plains Saturday into Sunday. Thunderstorm
chances will remain in the forecast each day, though the extent of
thunderstorm activity appears limited.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 606 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the next 24 hours.
Southeast winds of 5 to 15 knots will increase this evening, with
gusts to 30 knots possible. Isolated thunderstorms may develop
across northwest and north-central Nebraska tonight, though they are
expected to remain away from both terminals. Low-level wind shear is
expected to develop across southwest and central Nebraska overnight
through early Monday morning, including the KLBF terminal. Winds
will shift to the west overnight before becoming northwesterly by
late Monday morning into the afternoon, increasing to 10 to 20 knots
with gusts up to 35 knots, especially across the Sandhills. Low-
level cloud cover may develop near the KVTN terminal Monday morning,
though confidence in any aviation impacts remains low at this
time.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SHORT TERM...Roberg
LONG TERM...Roberg
AVIATION...Labenz

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 28, 2:32 PM CST, 6 hours 20 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
332 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-292045-
Sheridan-Eastern Cherry-Keya Paha-Boyd-Brown-Rock-Holt-Garden-Grant-
Hooker-Thomas-Blaine-Loup-Garfield-Wheeler-Arthur-McPherson-Logan-
Custer-Deuel-Keith-Perkins-Lincoln-Chase-Hayes-Frontier-
Western Cherry-
332 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026 /232 PM MDT Sun Jun 28 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Isolated thunderstorms are possible tonight across northern Sheridan
and northwest Cherry County. A few storms could be strong, with a
threat for hail and strong winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Additional thunderstorms are possible Monday night, primarily east
of Highway 183 and Tuesday across all of western and north central
Nebraka. A few storms could be strong to severe on Tuesday, with
large hail and damaging winds as the primary hazards.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 28, 6:14 PM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
714 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NEZ094-290100-
Western Cherry NE-
714 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CHERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 714 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 20
miles north of Whitman, or 36 miles northwest of Mullen, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Medicine Lake, Indian Hill, Speckel Meir Lake, Schoolhouse Lake,
Round Lake, and Intersection of Highway 61 and Survey Valley Road.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 180 and 186.
 Highway 97 near mile marker 105.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm 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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in North Platte.

&&

LAT...LON 4222 10165 4233 10178 4280 10137 4250 10088
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 220DEG 28KT 4234 10163

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

NMJ

Special weather statement, Jun 28, 6:39 PM CST, 2 hours 13 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
739 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NEZ094-290115-
Western Cherry NE-
739 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CHERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 815 PM CDT...

At 739 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 20
miles southwest of Medicine Lake, or 35 miles southeast of Gordon,
moving north at 25 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.

Locations impacted include...
Medicine Lake, Highway 61 Crossing The Niobrara River, Intersection
of Highway 61 and Shadbolt Road, and Highway 61 crossing the Snake
River.

This includes Highway 61 between mile markers 188 and 223.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm 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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in North Platte.

&&

LAT...LON 4239 10171 4241 10177 4290 10174 4281 10135
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 194DEG 23KT 4248 10166

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

NMJ

Special weather statement, Jun 28, 8:10 PM CST, 42 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
910 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NEZ094-290300-
Western Cherry NE-
910 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CHERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 1000 PM CDT...

At 910 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 21
miles southeast of Gordon, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Merriman, Highway 61 Crossing The Niobrara River, Intersection of
Highway 61 and Shadbolt Road, and Intersection of Highway 20 and
Irwin Road.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 20 between mile markers 119 and 137.
 Highway 61 between mile markers 208 and 226.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm 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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in North Platte.

&&

LAT...LON 4249 10185 4254 10204 4298 10189 4289 10155
TIME...MOT...LOC 0210Z 200DEG 22KT 4259 10190

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

NMJ

The radar

The North Platte radar (KLNX), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:49 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cherry

When: June 28, 8:52 PM CST
Where: Cherry County, 11.1 mi S of Merriman
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.760, -101.720

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 28, 9:45 PM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 0.51 mi W of Hay Spgs
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.680, -102.690

Delayed report via social media with pictures. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 28, 9:50 PM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 0.86 mi NW of Hay Spgs
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.690, -102.690

Report with photo via social media. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 28, 11:48 PM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 10.06 mi NW of Rushville
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.830, -102.580

Corrects previous hail report from 10 NW Rushville. Report via social media with pictures. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 29, 12:06 AM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 8.29 mi N of Clinton
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.890, -102.350

Report with photo via social media. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 29, 12:06 AM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 6.67 mi ESE of White Clay
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.960, -102.410

Report via social media with pictures. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 29, 12:10 AM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 9.67 mi N of Clinton
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.910, -102.350

Delayed report via social media with pictures. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Sheridan

When: June 29, 12:48 AM MST
Where: Sheridan County, 10.06 mi NW of Rushville
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.830, -102.580

Report via social media with pictures. Time estimated from radar.

What these are

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 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, June 2026

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: 1357019, 1357021, 1357022, 1357023, 1357024, 1357025, 1357026, 1357027.