The Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend was one of the overall windiest days of fall 2011 across South Central Nebraska, with several hours of sustained north-northwest winds around 40 MPH, accompanied by gusts into the 50-55 MPH range. The strongest winds primarily focused west of a line from Fullerton to Red Cloud, with a few of the highest measured gusts at automated airport sites including 55 MPH at Ord and 53 MPH at both Hastings and Lexington. These winds resulted in at least minor damage across the area, including in Greeley, where a light pole was tipped and shingles were blown off of some buildings.
These winds occurred in the wake of a strong upper level low pressure system and associated powerful surface cold front, and were driven by the combination of a tight surface pressure gradient and deep mixing. The strongest winds buffeted the area for a 12-18 hour period, as the initial surge arrived during the pre-dawn hours. Most locations didn't reach peak intensity until late morning or early afternoon, and speeds quickly subsided by sunset or shortly thereafter. Attesting to the strength of the surface pressure gradient, 8 AM CST observations revealed a 20-millibar gradient across the state of Nebraska, ranging from 1033mb in the western Panhandle to around 1013mb in the far southeast corner of the state.
The combination of these strong winds, along with very low relative humidity values dropping to near 20% or lower, also resulted in elevated to critical fire danger across much of the region. At least a few grass fires were sparked, including one near Alda in Hall County that was detected by NWS Doppler radar as the smoke plume rose in height.

High Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained wind speeds up to 43 mph were reported at the Lexington Airport.

High Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds of 41 mph were recorded at the Ord ASOS.

High Wind in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.  In Greeley, a light pole was tipped and a few shingles were removed from some buildings.

High Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 26-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 26-NOV-11 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Automated stations near the county recorded sustained winds in excess of 40 mph.