Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, June 9, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
636 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this evening
  across western Nebraska, tracking east across the region.
  While large hail and damaging wind gusts are the primary
  threats, a tornado or two may be possible for a brief period.

- Near critical to critical fire weather conditions are
  expected to last through the evening across western Nebraska.
  As thunderstorms form this afternoon and evening, there will
  be a risk for dry lightning across portions of the Panhandle
  and western Sandhills.

- Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms Wednesday
  afternoon and evening, with a chance for some storms to be
  severe. The main risks are large hail and damaging winds.

- Fire weather concerns may remain through the end of the week
  across western Nebraska, as conditions remain dry and windy.

- Temperatures are expected to cool off this weekend, with
  additional chances of showers and thunderstorms across the
  region.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 326 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

A very active afternoon and evening is expected across western and
north central Nebraska today, with risks for severe weather and
critical fire weather conditions. A strengthening surface low tracks
across the Dakotas, bringing a dry line and eventually a cold front
across western Nebraska. As the dry line tracks east, it will
provide the initial catalyst for our active weather pattern.

First, ahead of the dry line, afternoon dewpoints continue to climb
into the 60s and nearing the 70s, pooling deep moisture across the
region. Strong winds aloft, as well as veering winds with height,
will provide strong deep layer shear across the region this
afternoon and evening allowing storms to organize. With the clear
skies and daytime heating, strong instability continues to build
across the region, as seen from the KLBF 18z sounding, where surface
based CAPE values already exceed 3,000 J/kg. As the dry line tracks
east, expecting storms to develop along the boundary, with an
initial supercell threat. These initial supercells will bring a risk
for large to very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and even a
possibility of a tornado. the threat for supercell tornadoes is
relatively limited in time, as storms encounter a strengthening low
level jet late this afternoon and evening. Throughout the evening,
storms are expected to grow upscale into a more linear system,
continuing the threat for damaging wind gusts, though large hail
cannot be ruled out. With the ambient low level helicity, the threat
for brief tornadoes exists along the leading edge of the line, with
the greatest threat across north central Nebraska later this
evening. With this very explosive environment in place, SPC has
maintained a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) across most of the region,
and an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) mostly along and east of Highway
83. With all severe hazards in play tonight, make sure to have
multiple ways to receive warnings and remain weather aware!

Secondly, behind the dry line, very low humidity is expected (and
with higher dewpoints to the east a very sharp gradient). As the dry
line works into western Nebraska, expect humidity values to bottom
out around 15 to 20 percent. Winds remain very gusty out of the
south, with a slight turn to westerly behind the dry line, and
northwesterly behind the cold front. Perhaps more concerningly, as
storms initiate across western Nebraska, expecting little
precipitation out of these cells initially, which will keep a threat
for dry lightning across portions of the eastern Panhandle and
western Sandhills. With all of these anticipated conditions, have
decided to keep the Red Flag Warning in effect through this evening.
Humidity recovery is expected to remain poor overnight, but much
will depend on how much the dryline retreats to the west.

As the cold front pushes through the region overnight, we get a
second push of drier air across the region. Temperatures are
expected to remain cooler tomorrow, with highs in the 80s across the
region. However, the push of dry air will bring low humidity across
the region, with afternoon humidity values of 10 to 15 percent
across most of the region along and west of Highway 83. To the east,
humidity values around 15 to 25 percent are expected. Conditions
remain very gusty out of the west and northwest behind the cold
front, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph
especially across the western Sandhills and eastern Panhandle. This
may lead to additional near critical to critical fire weather
concerns, especially across western Nebraska. Have decided against
issuing a fire headline at this time, mainly to see how storms and
potential rainfall play out tonight.

Another potential severe weather set up develops across the region
during the evening hours on Wednesday. As the cold front remains
mostly across the eastern portions of the region, the main concerns
will be areas along and east of Highway 83. Given that the set up is
largely driven by the location of the front, the higher concerns are
for areas to the east of the area, however, should the front track
slightly slower than expected, large hail and gusty winds would be
possible with any storms that develop Wednesday evening. However, as
mentioned, much depends on the location of where the front tracks
tonight, so will continue to keep a close eye on the fine scale
features. Given the slight uncertainty, make sure to stay up to date
with the latest forecast, as subtle shifts could change the severe
risk tomorrow evening.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 326 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

By Thursday, an upper level trough is expected to track across the
region. This should usher in some cooler temperatures as we head
into the weekend, with highs on Thursday expected to be in the 70s.
Conditions remain breezy on Thursday, with sustained northwest winds
of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Humidity may be on the lower
end for Thursday, generally less than 30 percent during the
afternoon. However, there is some question on how much overlap of
lowest humidity and gusty winds will occur. With this uncertainty
still lingering, think at least elevated to near critical fire
weather conditions may exist across portions of the eastern
Panhandle, but will continue to monitor, as subtle changes in the
fine scale environment over the next few days may have a large
impact on this.

As for Friday, more zonal flow aloft is expected, with a push of
warm air advection at 850 mb. This shot of warm air advection may
bring a brief warm up of temperatures across the region, especially
across southwest Nebraska. This may push highs back into the upper
80s to lower 90s for one day. As temperatures climb again on Friday,
expecting another decrease in moisture across the region. Strong
southerly wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible, and combined with
the low humidity, may create additional fire weather concerns,
especially across western Nebraska.

Looking ahead to the weekend, another upper level trough is expected
to track into the region. Temperatures remain warmer on Saturday
ahead of a cold frontal passage, with highs still expected to climb
into the 80s. However, by Sunday and into early next week, expecting
temperatures to cool off into the 70s, as upper level troughing
remains. A somewhat active upper level pattern should provide
support for a few disturbances to bring showers and thunderstorms
across the region. Much will depend on the track of the upper level
pattern, so changes may still over the next several days.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 636 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Rain and thunderstorms will develop across north central Nebraska
this evening with the potential to produce large hail and strong,
erratic winds at both terminals. Conditions will gradually improve
after 08Z with a return to VFR conditions through Wednesday morning.
Gusty westerly winds up to 35 knots are possible by the afternoon
lasting through the early evening before diminishing after
sunset.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 326 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Near critical to critical fire weather conditions are expected to
persist this evening across western Nebraska, as the dry line
continues to track east. Conditions behind the dry line are expected
to drop around 15 to 20 percent, with gusty southerly winds becoming
westerly as the dry line passes. Additionally, storms initiating
along the dry line this afternoon and evening may bring a risk for
dry lightning, especially across the eastern Panhandle and western
Sandhills. Humidity recovery will largely depend on the eastern
extent of the dry line tonight, as areas remaining west of the dry
line are expected to recover to around 50 percent, with areas east
of the dry line recovering to 70 percent.

Tomorrow, as the cold front pushes the dry line further east, expect
cooler temperatures and more widespread low humidity across the
region. Most areas along and west of Highway 83 are expected to see
afternoon humidity values around 10 to 15 percent, along with wind
gusts up to 45 mph during the afternoon. This may lead to additional
near critical to critical fire weather concerns, but will hold off
on a headline for now to see how much rain is received with
tonight's storms.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for NEZ204.

&&

SHORT TERM...Richie
LONG TERM...Richie
AVIATION...Kulik
FIRE WEATHER...Richie

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
330 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-102030-
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-
330 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 /230 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected across the western
Sandhills and eastern Panhandle this afternoon and evening as a dry
line tracks into the region.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and into
the evening. Storms are expected to form across western Nebraska and
northeastern Colorado, tracking to the east. Damaging wind gusts,
large to very large hail, and a few tornadoes will all be possible.

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

Near critical to possibly critical fire weather concerns will be
possible Wednesday, generally for areas along and west of Highway
61. Additional fire weather concerns may return Thursday and Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
635 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ057>059-100000-
Perkins NE-Lincoln NE-Keith NE-
635 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN PERKINS...
SOUTHEASTERN KEITH AND WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM
CDT/600 PM MDT/...

At 634 PM CDT/534 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm over Madrid, or 10 miles east of Grant, moving northeast
at 35 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...
Paxton, Madrid, Elsie, and Broganville.

This includes Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 135 and
149.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT/1100 PM MDT/ for
southwestern Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4079 10151 4087 10167 4122 10152 4100 10101
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 217DEG 43KT 4088 10153

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gomez

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
723 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ036-059-100100-
McPherson NE-Lincoln NE-
723 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN AND SOUTH
CENTRAL MCPHERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 723 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles north of Sutherland, or 16 miles southwest of Tryon, moving
northeast at 40 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Lincoln and south central McPherson Counties.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 199 and 200.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 10 and 19.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for southwestern
and west central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4124 10113 4133 10120 4157 10104 4133 10076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 226DEG 41KT 4135 10110

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

Gomez

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
734 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ023>025-094-100100-
Hooker NE-Grant NE-Western Cherry NE-Thomas NE-
734 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CHERRY...
NORTHEASTERN GRANT...NORTHERN HOOKER AND NORTHWESTERN THOMAS COUNTIES
THROUGH 800 PM CDT/700 PM MDT/...

At 734 PM CDT/634 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of
strong thunderstorms 9 miles east of Whitman, or 17 miles west of
Mullen, moving northeast at 40 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...
Mullen, Whitman, Carr Lake, Hecla, Kelso, and Weir.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 2 between mile markers 157 and 190.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 64 and 78.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT/1100 PM MDT/ for
north central and west central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4185 10138 4202 10157 4231 10124 4209 10080
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 228DEG 34KT 4200 10137

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gomez

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
742 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ036-037-059-100130-
McPherson NE-Lincoln NE-Logan NE-
742 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN...
SOUTHWESTERN LOGAN AND SOUTHEASTERN MCPHERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM
CDT...

At 742 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles north of North Platte, moving northeast at 40 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central
Lincoln, southwestern Logan and southeastern McPherson Counties.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 216 and 222.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 4 and 13.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 98 and 106.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for southwestern
and west central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4119 10090 4124 10100 4153 10071 4137 10046
TIME...MOT...LOC 0042Z 218DEG 47KT 4130 10084

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

Gomez

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
744 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ036-037-100100-
McPherson NE-Logan NE-
744 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL LOGAN AND EASTERN
MCPHERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 744 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Tryon, moving northeast at 40 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...
Tryon and Ringgold.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 203 and 216.
 Highway 97 between mile markers 21 and 32.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for west central
Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4141 10094 4149 10102 4174 10083 4156 10057
TIME...MOT...LOC 0044Z 218DEG 46KT 4152 10092

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

Gomez