Extreme Heat Overspreads the Central and Southern U.S., Pushing East Through Midweek; Severe Weather and Excessive Rain for Portions of the Upper Midwest

Dangerous heat is expected across portions of the Central and Southeast U.S. through July. Severe storms for parts of the northern Plains & upper Midwest tonight & Wednesday- threats include a few tornadoes, damaging winds & excessive rain. Heavy rain may impact portions of the Southeast and Southwest into tonight. A tropical disturbance brings heavy rain to Guam & the Marianas through Friday. Read More >

April 8-9, 2013

Damaging Winds, Hail and
Heavy Rain Across Portions of
South Central Nebraska

To the right is a National Weather Service Radar loop, valid from 8:40 p.m. on Monday, April 8th through 6:30a.m. on Tuesday, April 9th.

The NWS Hastings coverage area is located within the orange outlined area, with the interstate highways in red.

(Click Radar Loop To Enlarge)

Event Summary:

The first widespread severe weather event of the 2013 season struck during the evening and overnight hours April 8th-9th, affecting portions of South Central Nebraska generally north of a line from Arapahoe to Hastings to York. A surface frontal boundary sagging south across the region, aided by an increased southerly low level jet nosing into the region, provided a focus for thunderstorm development. The most notable reports came in the form of damaging wind gusts, with the highest gust reported being 76 mph on the southwest side of Kearney, causing tree and roof damage, along with the destruction of a mobile home. Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported in Kearney, Phillips and near Giltner. Along with damaging winds and hail, at times heavy rain dropped at least a couple of inches in many locations, including 3.61 inches near Rockville, 3.41 inches near Scotia and 2.84 inches near Ravenna.

Some of the notable severe weather reports from this event:

Thunderstorm wind damage in Kearney (Buffalo County) included wind gusts of 76 mph (measured) and 70 mph (estimated). This has resulted in the destruction of a mobile home, tree damage and roof damage to buildings located on the University of Nebraska - Kearney campus.

Measured wind gust of 74 mph at the Holdrege Airport (Phelps County). A large outbuilding approximately 3 W of Funk was destroyed. Approximately 10 N of Funk, 12 power poles were snapped. Irrigation pivots in the area were also overturned.

Measured wind gust of 64 mph 2 miles northeast of Norman (Kearney County).

Estimated wind gust of 60 mph at Alda (Hall County).

Golf ball size hail (1.75") was reported in Kearney (Buffalo County), Phillips (Hamilton County) and 6 W Giltner (Hamilton County)

Half dollar size hail (1.25") was reported in Alda (Hall County).

Quarter size hail (1.00") was reported at the NWS office 4 N of Hastings (Adams County), 4 S of Eddyville (Buffalo County),
2 W of Miller (Buffalo County) and 2 E of Chapman (Merrick County).

Storm Report Map from
April 8-9, 2013

Click image for detailed reports.

Radar estimation of storm total precipitation. The darker colors show the area of higher precipitaiton amounts.


4 miles southwest of Holdrege, Nebraska	Power poles snapped southeast of Kearney.	3 miles west of Funk, Nebraska

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Extreme Heat Overspreads the Central and Southern U.S., Pushing East Through Midweek; Severe Weather and Excessive Rain for Portions of the Upper Midwest

April 8, 2013: Wind Gusts Over 70 MPH Cause Damage On The University Of Nebraska-Kearney Campus

Storm Report Map from April 8-9, 2013

Storm Report Map from
April 8-9, 2013