A strong, slow moving upper level low pressure system shifted east out of the Rocky Mountains and onto the plains during the daytime hours of March 23rd.  A well vertically stacked system, it brought strong winds as well as thunderstorms to portions of South Central Nebraska.  With strong forcing and a tight pressure gradient across the area, this lead to widespread sustained wind speeds of 35 to 40 mph and gusts near 60 mph, which lingered into the evening hours.  These winds blew some dust around, causing some problems for travelers, also making it difficult to fight a number of wildfires which developed across the area.  Some strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours, dropping penny to half dollar size hail across eastern portions of the area, with some damage reported in Hamilton and Fillmore Counties.

High Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

High Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Hail in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:14:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:25:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRADSHAW
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail reported covering the ground.

Hail in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:40:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: POLK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Accompanied by estimated winds of 50 mph.

High Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

High Wind in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

High Wind in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Accompanied by dime size hail.

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:58:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: DESHLER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:15:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Accompanied by nickel size hail.  Damage to siding and windows on the south side of numerous homes was reported, as well as damage to approximately 15 pivots.  Two semi trucks were blown over on Highway 34, with no injuries.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 14:25:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRMONT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Reports received included snapped power poles, overturned pivot, as well as an accident involving an overturned semi truck.

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 14:30:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: EXETER
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 23-MAR-09 13:50:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC COOL JCT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail reported covering the ground.