Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms pounded parts of the 24-county area on this Saturday, resulting in numerous reports of large hail and damaging winds along with four brief EF0 tornadoes. However, considering that the entire area spent the day under its only High Risk convective outlook of the spring from the Storm Prediction Center, the situation could have been worse. No injuries were reported in South Central Nebraska, and all significant, long-track tornadoes in the region remained to the south across central and southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma. Locally, most severe weather targeted counties between Interstate 80 and the Kansas border. The first three brief tornadoes occurred between 2-3 PM CDT in Nuckolls and Thayer Counties, as a rain-wrapped supercell tracked out of northern Kansas. One of these tornadoes struck a farm just north of Alexandria, where a grain bin was toppled and a roof torn off a shed. A few hours later, the final and most-photographed tornado of the day touched down shortly after 6 PM CDT in Harlan County northeast of Oxford and crossed Highway 6, destroying a grain bin along the way.
During this prolonged event, severe thunderstorms affected parts of the area for roughly 13 hours, mainly between 1030 AM and 1130 PM CDT. The first round of severe weather focused across northern portions of the area during the late morning as an elevated supercell tracked across parts of Sherman, Valley and Greeley Counties. This storm was a prolific hail producer, with hail of at least 2 inches in diameter causing considerable damage to homes and vehicles, especially north and west of Spalding. As these early storms exited to the northeast, the focus shifted south to near the Kansas border, as the next cluster of more-surface-based severe storms with embedded tornadic circulations lifted through primarily Nuckolls, Thayer and Fillmore Counties between 1-4 PM CDT. After a brief lull, a few more supercells fired up farther west around 5 PM CDT, with one of these storms producing the tornado near Oxford before weakening as it tracked northeast toward Kearney. Yet again, a brief lull ensued, before numerous severe thunderstorms flared up mainly south of Interstate 80 during the 830-1130 PM CDT time frame. Although these storms were not tornadic, multiple hail and wind reports included baseball size hail near Glenvil, golf ball size hail near Edison and McCool Junction and estimated 70 MPH winds and toppled irrigation center pivots near Campbell and east of Clay Center. Finally, between 1130 PM and 2 AM CDT, the remaining storms gradually weakened and exited the area to the east.
Although significant flooding was not an issue, most areas southeast of a line from Osceola to Franklin measured at least 1-2 inches of rain, with 2-3 inch amounts most concentrated within Nuckolls, Thayer and Fillmore Counties, including a 3.70-inch total just west of Tobias along the Fillmore and Saline County line.
This long-lasting severe weather outbreak was driven by a classic synoptic setup, as a powerful mid-upper level trough approached the Central Plains from the Four Corners region, featuring a 300 millibar jet streak in excess of 110 knots. At the surface, low pressure deepened over the course of the day, registering around 992 millibars by early evening over northwest Kansas. A well-defined warm front extended east from this low across South Central Nebraska, as a sharpening dryline took shape along a line from southwest Nebraska to far western Oklahoma. With a strengthening and veering wind profile with height, shear parameters were quite supportive of significant severe weather. Around the time of the late afternoon tornado near Oxford, mesoscale severe weather parameters included around 1500 J/Kg mixed layer CAPE, 60-70 knots of deep layer vertical wind shear and 30-40 knots of surface-to-1 kilometer low level vertical shear. In addition, surface-to-1 kilometer storm relative helicity increased into at least the 300-500 m2/s2 range during the late afternoon and evening hours, promoting a volatile environment for potentially strong, long-track tornadoes. Fortunately for South Central Nebraska, the sheer number of storms along with resultant storm-scale interference likely mitigated what could have been a more significant tornado event.
On a regional and even national level, this was one of the most anticipated and well-advertised Central Plains tornado outbreaks ever. Although the majority of South Central Nebraska was not in a High Risk outlook from the Storm Prediction Center until the early morning hours of the 14th, parts of Kansas and Oklahoma were placed under a High Risk early on the 13th, marking the first time SPC ever issued a High Risk forecast so far in advance.

Heavy Rain in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 06:00:00 to 15-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OHIOWA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total precipitation of 3.70 inches was reported.

Heavy Rain in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 06:00:00 to 15-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSKIN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total precipitation of 3.07 inches was reported.

Heavy Rain in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 06:00:00 to 15-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRUNING
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total precipitation of 3.34 inches was reported.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 09:38:00 to 14-APR-12 09:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 09:55:00 to 14-APR-12 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 09:55:00 to 14-APR-12 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 10:51:00 to 14-APR-12 10:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPALDING
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 10:54:00 to 14-APR-12 10:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPALDING
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail the size of hen eggs damaged a law enforcement vehicle.  There were also reports from north of Spalding of hail causing roof and siding damage, breaking windows out of homes and buildings, and vehicle damage.

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 16:50:00 to 14-APR-12 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: OXFORD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 16:57:00 to 14-APR-12 16:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTRAND
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hail in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:05:00 to 14-APR-12 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPONEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:07:00 to 14-APR-12 20:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEARTWELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:10:00 to 14-APR-12 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEARTWELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:23:00 to 14-APR-12 20:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEARTWELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:28:00 to 14-APR-12 20:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:02:00 to 14-APR-12 21:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: AYR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:07:00 to 14-APR-12 21:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENVILLE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:23:00 to 14-APR-12 21:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:37:00 to 14-APR-12 21:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUTTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few homes in Sutton suffered broken windows.

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:45:00 to 14-APR-12 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAFTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:52:00 to 14-APR-12 21:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRMONT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:54:00 to 14-APR-12 21:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC COOL JCT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 22:01:00 to 14-APR-12 22:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDISON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 22:16:00 to 14-APR-12 22:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATLANTA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 22:16:00 to 14-APR-12 22:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 22:28:00 to 14-APR-12 22:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 20:37:00 to 14-APR-12 20:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLADEN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gusts estimated at 70 mph resulted in a center irrigation pivot being overturned.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:03:00 to 14-APR-12 21:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: AYR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph and accompanied by nickel size hail.

Tornado in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 17:16:00 to 14-APR-12 17:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: OXFORD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado touched down approximately 4 miles north-northeast of Oxford, crossing Highway 6 before dissipating approximately 5 miles north-northeast of Oxford.  The only damage noted with this tornado was the destruction of a grain bin near Highway 6.  The maximum wind speed was estimated at 65 mph.

Tornado in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 13:10:00 to 14-APR-12 13:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARDY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

No damage was reported with this tornado, which touched down approximated 1 mile east of Hardy and lifted approximately 4 miles east of Hardy.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 13:30:00 to 14-APR-12 13:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: DESHLER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

No damage was reported with this brief tornado touchdown approximately 2 miles east of Deshler.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 13:56:00 to 14-APR-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDRIA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 350.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado touched down approximately 1.5 miles north of Alexandria and lifted approximately 2 miles north of Alexandria.  Along its path, a home sustained minor siding and window damage, a grain bin was destroyed, small outbuildings lost siding, trees and power lines were damaged, and 2 center irrigation pivots were overturned. The maximum wind speed was estimated at 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:24:00 to 14-APR-12 21:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tree damage was reported in Edgar from wind gusts estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 14-APR-12 21:21:00 to 14-APR-12 21:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Wind gusts estimated at 70 mph resulted in a few center irrigation pivots being overturned.