Tornado Watch Issued for Southern and Central Nebraska

Strategic Insights -

As a severe weather system moves into southern and central Nebraska on Monday afternoon and evening, a Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center for the region. The watch is in effect from 355 PM CDT until 1000 PM CDT, with a primary threat of a couple of tornadoes possible, scattered damaging winds, and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible, as well as scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tornado Watch area is approximately 45 statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of Mccook NE to 30 miles east southeast of Grand Island NE.
  • Conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area, with thunderstorms expected to move east-northeastward along and near a warm front that will become draped across south-central Nebraska.
  • A couple of tornadoes may occur with any sustained supercell, along with large hail around 1-2 inches in diameter, with severe/damaging winds becoming an increasing concern if thunderstorms can grow into a small cluster later this evening.
  • The watch area residents are advised to be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

Statistics:

  • The Tornado Watch is in effect from 355 PM CDT to 1000 PM CDT.
  • The watch area is approximately 45 statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of Mccook NE to 30 miles east southeast of Grand Island NE.
  • The primary threats include a couple of tornadoes possible, scattered damaging winds, and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible.
  • Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter are also possible.

Sources:

  • National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (Norman OK) - Tornado Watch 496 (issued 355 PM CDT, Mon Jul 1 2024)
  • US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - note on expiration time of watch graphic (no date provided)