EF1 tornado, Winnebago, Nebraska, May 17, 2026

1. EF065 to 85 mph

   Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

   Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

3. EF2111 to 135 mph

   Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

4. EF3136 to 165 mph

   Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

5. EF4166 to 200 mph

   Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

6. EF5over 200 mph

   Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

7. Unrated

   The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

Rating, as surveyed

EF1, preliminary

Date

May 17, 2026

Touchdown

7:19 PM CDT (00:19 UTC)

Lifted

7:22 PM CDT (00:22 UTC)

On the ground

3 minutes

Path length

1.9 miles (3.0 km)

Path width

300 yards (274 m)

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

County

Thurston County

Touchdown point

42.217, -96.474

Lift-off point

42.240, -96.454

Highest wind the damage implies

95 mph

Surveyed by

NWS OAX

Survey last edited

May 19, 2026

Record number

None yet. SPC numbers 2026 in the spring of 2027.

An EF-1 tornado touched down west of Highway 77 and tracked northeast damaging trees and the roofs of homes. The tornado impacted locations near baseball fields on the south side of Highway 75. Damage to bleachers, signage, and the dugout occurred, and across the highway there was damage to grain bins and a large tree landed on a home. The tornado continued northeast and did minor damage to a large water tank and additional tree damage along D Avenue.

Written by NWS OAX in the NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit. A survey is revised as better evidence arrives.

32 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS FSD and NWS OAX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 95 mph.

• Outbuilding appears to have been built around an old foundation. Pine trees across the street uprooted to the northeast.
• Grain bins pushed to the north. Shed on other side of the road pushed toward railroad tracks.
• Four wood polls leaning. Trees at home across from field broken to the northeast. Corn stubble to the northeast.
• Northwest corner of roof panels pulled off. Across the street, irrigation pivot tipped east.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

Severe thunderstorms produced hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes across eastern Nebraska on May 17, 2026. On this day, an upper-level trough axis remained well to the west, but an embedded shortwave and attendant jet streak ejected from eastern Colorado into eastern Nebraska. At the surface, an elongated trough extended from a low in southeast Colorado through south-central Nebraska into southeast South Dakota, acting as a persistent focus for strong deep moist convergence. During the afternoon, a narrow dryline surged into central Nebraska and Kansas. East of the boundary, warm-sector dewpoints recovered into the mid-to-upper 60s, yielding a highly unstable environment with 3,000 to 4,000 J/kg of MLCAPE. Although mid-level winds were somewhat weak���resulting in unimpressive 0���6 km bulk shear���low-level hodographs featured ample cyclonic curvature. This provided sufficient low-level shear to keep updrafts organized and separated from downdrafts despite the weaker flow aloft.||A broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed across east-central Nebraska during the afternoon, pushing eastwards and growing upscale into a formidable wind-producing convective system. The storms initially presented a mixed hazard of large hail and damaging winds as they impacted counties including Madison, Platte, Cuming, and Saline. Hail up to golf ball size (1.75 inches) was reported near Wisner, while quarter-size hail fell in several surrounding communities. Three EF-1 tornadoes were also confirmed across eastern Nebraska in Thurston, Saunders and Cass county. However, severe straight-line winds quickly became the dominant threat. Wind gusts consistently measured between 60 and 70 mph caused widespread tree damage, snapping large branches with noticeable tree damage reported in communities like Friend, Crete, and Fairbury.||As the line surged eastward through the mid-to-late evening, the severe wind threat pushed straight through the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas before crossing the Missouri River into western Iowa. An automated station at the Lincoln Airport measured a 68 mph wind gust, while emergency managers and spotters reported 70 mph gusts across Lancaster and Sarpy counties. These intense winds resulted in minor structural damage, including a torn gutter on a home in Lincoln and a damaged street light in La Vista. The Omaha Eppley Airfield recorded a 63 mph gust as the storms swept through the metro. By late evening, the system accelerated across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa, producing severe wind gusts of 71 mph in Pawnee County, Nebraska, before finally weakening and exiting the region.

An EF-1 tornado touched down west of Highway 77 and tracked northeast damaging trees and the roofs of homes. The tornado impacted locations near baseball fields on the south side of Highway 75. Damage to bleachers, signage, and the dugout occurred, and across the highway there was damage to grain bins and a large tree landed on a home. The tornado continued northeast and did minor damage to a large water tank and additional tree damage along D Avenue. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 95 mph.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 18:43 UTC and running to 03:00 UTC.

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.15 chance of a tornado within 25 miles, in the hatched area where significant tornadoes were expected. The outlook in force was issued at 20:02 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at May 17, 6:37 PM CDT, 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

• Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding.

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
637 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you
  live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility.
  Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing
  the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and
  flash flooding.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 142 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

This afternoon, an elongated sfc low will be in place from SE
Colorado/SW Kansas up into the Dakotas. A dryline is set up toward
the KS/CO border and a warm front is located across central
Nebraska. Temps are currently in the 80s in the warm sector with
dewpoints in the mid-60s. SBCAPE values of 3500+ J/kg, MLCAPE values
of 3000+ J/kg and DCAPE values of 1200+ J/kg are expected. Expect
good instability through the afternoon/evening and fairly steep
lapse rates, particularly down into central and eastern Nebraska.

Portions of northeastern Nebraska in particular are showing
potential for an environment favorable for strong updrafts and
potentially some longer lived supercells. Any storms that are able
to get going and become sustained in that favorable environment
would have the best chance of developing a tornado, with some
potential to be strong. Storms are expected to develop into a line,
posing a damaging wind threat along with hail and tornadoes
possible.

Heading into Monday, a broad trough extends from the PACNW up into
eastern Nebraska/western Iowa. Another system moves in through the
day, bringing additional chances for strong to severe storms,
particularly for areas along and south of Interstate 80. There still
remain some questions as to how far north the warm front and system
get. The environment is expected to be primed with strong
instability and deep layer shear conducive for supercell development
and maintenance. With this type of set up, large hail and damaging
winds are to be expected in addition to the possibility for a few
strong and potentially long-lived tornadoes. Flash flooding will be
possible, particularly in areas that have also received a few inches
of rain over the last 48 hours.

Expect cooler temperatures for much of the week as a cold front
pushes into the region Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday bring relief
from the recent storms.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 637 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

A line of severe thunderstorms is observed at this hour from
near KOFK to KJYR to KHJH. These storms have a history of
producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. The line
will continue progressing eastward this evening, eventually
turning into more of a damaging wind threat as it approaches
KOMA and KLNK. Have continued mentions of -TSRA at terminals
this evening, refining timing at KOMA with the line expected to
arrive by 01z per latest model guidance. Expect frequent updates
and amendments. Background winds will switch to the west
northwest once the line moves through, and remaining at 12 kts
or less after 06z. Ceilings will deteriorate to MVFR and IFR at
terminals tonight behind the line of storms and persist through
much of the TAF cycle. After 20z, will see more redevelopment of
showers and thunderstorms, with chances over 50% late in the
TAF period. These storms will once again become strong to severe
with all hazards possible.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for NEZ065-066-068-078-
     088>093.
IA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...ANW
AVIATION...Castillo

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-
042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-181900-
Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-
Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-
Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-
Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-
Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson-
151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast
Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after 4 PM,
initially across northeast Nebraska before spreading south and east.
Large hail (2+ inches), damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes
(possibly strong) are the expected hazards. Heavy rain due to
several storms moving over the same area may result in some concerns
for flash flooding. A Tornado Watch has been issued for the northern
portion of the outlook area through 10 PM.

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

Additional strong to severe storms are forecast for Monday
afternoon, with an increased threat for large hail (2-4+ inches) and
strong tornadoes. Additional chances for heavy rainfall on top of
what has already fallen since Friday night will result in a potential
for flash flooding, particularly for portions of southeastern
Nebraska. Chances to see severe storm activity is maximized over
southeast Nebraska.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Any reports of hail, strong winds,
tornadoes, flooding or damage are greatly appreciated today and
Monday.

In the hours before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
608 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0605 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     6 NNE Newman Grove      41.83N 97.73W
05/17/2026  M64 MPH          Madison            NE   Public

            Personal weather station.

&&

DAC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
628 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0620 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NE Platte Center      41.56N 97.46W
05/17/2026  M71 MPH          Platte             NE   Public

            personal weather station.

&&

tsn

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
639 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0614 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 S Monroe              41.40N 97.60W
05/17/2026  M64 MPH          Platte             NE   Mesonet

            Corrects previous tstm wnd gst report from 5
            S Monroe. Nebraska Mesonet.

&&

DAC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
646 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0635 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Friend                  40.65N 97.28W
05/17/2026                   Saline             NE   Storm Chaser

            Large tree down in Friend.

0629 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     8 SSE Creston           41.60N 97.30W
05/17/2026  M64 MPH          Platte             NE   Public

            Public Weather Station.

0637 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 WSW Leigh             41.69N 97.29W
05/17/2026  M60 MPH          Platte             NE   Public

            Public Weather Station.

0636 PM     Hail             Clarkson                41.72N 97.12W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Colfax             NE   Emergency Mngr

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
651 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0636 PM     Hail             3 SSW Creston           41.67N 97.39W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Platte             NE   Public

            Corrects previous hail report from Clarkson.

&&

DAC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
704 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0657 PM     Hail             Wisner                  41.99N 96.91W
05/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Cuming             NE   Emergency Mngr

&&

DAC

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Sioux City (SUX), 19 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 00:21 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

The live radar over the trackEvery 2026 tornado in NebraskaEvery tornado in Nebraska since 1950Warnings in force in Nebraska nowThe forecast where you are

47 more have been surveyed in the United States that day, so far.

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. A survey can be revised, so the rating, the path and the casualties can all still change.

NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit, the record the survey teams file from the damage, and NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports. Neither is the official database for 2026, which SPC publishes in the spring of 2027.