Tornado Watch Issued for Western and Central Nebraska

Strategic Insights -

Issued on Saturday afternoon, July 19, 2025, the NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Western into Central Nebraska. The watch is effective from 315 PM CDT until 11 PM CDT, with primary threats including a couple of tornadoes, scattered damaging winds, and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph, as well as scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter.

The tornado watch area is approximately 80 statute miles north and south of a line from 75 miles west of Mullen, NE to 10 miles north northeast of Broken Bow, NE. Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and intensify this afternoon, posing a risk for large to very large hail. The risk for tornadoes will begin late this afternoon and maximize during the evening, with the risk for severe gusts probably increasing during the evening as one or two clusters possibly evolve.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for Western and Central Nebraska, effective from 315 PM CDT until 11 PM CDT on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
  • The watch areas cover 80 statute miles north and south of a line from 75 miles west of Mullen, NE to 10 miles north northeast of Broken Bow, NE.
  • The primary threats include a couple of tornadoes, scattered damaging winds, isolated significant gusts to 75 mph, scattered large hail, and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter.
  • Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and intensify this afternoon, posing a risk for large to very large hail.
  • The risk for tornadoes will begin late this afternoon and maximize during the evening, with the risk for severe gusts probably increasing during the evening, as one or two clusters possibly evolve.
  • Persons in the areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
  • A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
  • The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area, and the actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.

Statistics:

  • The tornado watch area is approximately 80 statute miles wide.
  • The watch is effective for the entire day, from 315 PM CDT until 11 PM CDT.
  • The primary threats include a couple of tornadoes, scattered damaging winds, isolated significant gusts to 75 mph, scattered large hail, and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter.
  • Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and intensify this afternoon, posing a risk for large to very large hail.
  • The risk for tornadoes will begin late this afternoon and maximize during the evening, with the risk for severe gusts probably increasing during the evening, as one or two clusters possibly evolve.

Sources:

  • NWS Storm Prediction Center
  • US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • National Weather Service (NWS)