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Severe Thunderstorms in the Northeast and Northern Plains; Critical Fire Weather in the West

Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts and hail are forecast across the Northeast U.S. and North Dakota today. Heavy to excessive rainfall is possible over eastern New Mexico into western Texas and over the western Florida peninsula today. Critical fire weather conditions will persist today over parts of the interior Northwest and Great Basin. Read More >

Overview

More than one round of thunderstorms impacted the region on May 26th, 2021. Early in the day, thunderstorms developed in northwest Kansas. A supercell thunderstorm traveled from Sherman county northeastward to Thomas county through the morning hours. This storm began to weaken as it reached central Decatur county, eventually dissipating near the Nebraska border in the early afternoon. On its way across northwest Kansas, this severe thunderstorm produced up to tennis ball size hail which damaged vehicles and property. 

A second round of thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening hours. Severe storms initiated near the Nebraska border where a warm front was draped. These supercells not only produced large hail but multiple tornadoes. NWS Survey Teams were able to find damage caused by three separate tornadoes. At 3:25 PM MT, a tornado touched down 5 north of Benkelman, NE and tracked northward, resulting in damage to a shed, metal roofing, and fencing (Benkelman 1). Shortly after this tornado lifted, a second tornado began 7 north of Benkelman, NE at 3:39 PM MT and lasted 20 minutes, traveling northward (Benkelman 2). It caused the most significant damage of the day as it moved along Highway 61 for most of its life. The third tornado began at 5:29 PM CDT at 7 west-northwest of Herndon, KS, tracking along County Road 27 and County Road 29 before lifting at 5:45 PM CDT. Thunderstorms increased in coverage near the Nebraska border through the evening hours as another line of storms progressed east through northeastern Colorado. This line of storms merged with existing storms out ahead, finally exiting the region to the east overnight.   

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