Starting on Wednesday the 17th and then peaking on Thursday the 18th, South Central Nebraska experienced its overall windiest two-day period in several years. Blowing out of the northwest on both days, at least minor visibility restrictions due to blowing dust were common, and a few wildfires were sparked including a rather large one on the 17th in western Fillmore County.
Focusing on the 18th, this was the windiest of the two days, and featured several hours of sustained speeds generally 35-45 MPH and frequent gusts of at least 50-60 MPH. The highest measured wind gust of the day at automated airport sites, 70 MPH, occurred at Evelyn Sharp Field in Ord, with a few other peak gusts at airports including 63 MPH at Grand Island, 60 MPH at Lexington and 59 MPH at Hastings, Aurora and York. While at least minor damage was likely widespread across the area, known damage reports included a trailer home with half its roof torn off in Cozad and a large tree branch that fell onto a moving car in Hastings. These intense winds were driven by deep mixing within an impressive surface pressure gradient between a 988 millibar low in northern Minnesota and a 1029 millibar high centered over Idaho. Attesting to the strength of this surface pressure gradient, late morning observations revealed a 20-millibar gradient across the state of Nebraska alone, ranging from 1016mb in the far southwest corner to 996mb in the far northeast.  This high wind event got underway unusually early in the day for northern parts of the area, as the Ord airport already gusted to 58 MPH prior to 7 AM CDT. Although sustained speeds largely eased below 40 MPH by 5 PM CDT, it remained quite windy well into the night with sustained speeds commonly 30+ MPH and gusts still around 40 MPH or higher.

High Wind in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 13:16:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:16:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

This was the highest measured peak gust of the event within South Central Nebraska, measured by the ASOS at Evelyn Sharp Field in Ord.

High Wind in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A peak wind gust of 59 mph occurred at the Aurora airport at 955 CST. Also, sustained wind speeds of 40 to 45 mph occurred at least periodically between 935 am CDT and 1515 pm CDT.

High Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A 59 mph peak wind gust was measured at the York Airport at 935 CST. Sustained wind speeds of 40 mph or more occurred periodically between 835 am CST and 1515 pm CST.

High Wind in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained wind speeds of 40 to 48 mph occurred continuously between 1055 am CST and 1255 pm CST at the Lexington airport. Also of note, wind speeds of greater than 40 mph occurred at least periodically from 915 am CST to 1555 pm CST. A peak wind gust of 60 mph occurred at the Lexington Airport at 1135 CST. Also, a peak wind gust of 64 mph occurred at a mesonet site in Gothenburg, a 61 mph peak wind gust occured at a mesonet site three miles southeast of Overton, and a 58 mph peak wind gust occurred at a mesonet site nine miles north northwest of Lexington at 1235 CST. The exact time of peak wind gusts is unavailable from the mesonet sites. Also, a trailer home in Cozad had half of its roof torn off from non-thunderstorm gradient wind. A power pole in town was also damaged, and power lines were down west of town.

High Wind in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A peak wind gust of 59 mph occurred at the Hastings Municipal Airport at 925 CST and 1304 CST. Also, sustained wind speeds were near 40 mph.

High Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained wind speed of near and in excess of 40 mph with gusts up to 52 mph at the Kearney airport, with highest wind sustained wind speeds of 43 mph occurring between 1015 CST and 1115 CST. A wind gust of 65 mph occurred 10 miles north northwest of Kearney at a mesonet site.

High Wind in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 05:50:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Aside from sustained wind speeds of 40 mph and greater, multiple gusts over 55 mph were recorded at the ASOS located at Evelyn Sharp Field in Ord.  Included were a 58 mph gust at 0552 CST, a 61 mph gust 0636 CST, a 64 mph gust at 0836 CST, a 69 mph gust at 1003 CST, and a 70 mph peak wind gust at 1316 CST.

High Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 05:50:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph and numerous gusts over 55 mph.

High Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A peak wind gust of 63 mph occurred at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island at 1027 CST. A tree fell onto a power line on Hancock St. between 10th and 11th streets. Power was out briefly for 500 residents and the St. Francis Medical Center. The exact time that the tree fell is unknown.

High Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 05:50:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph and numerous gusts over 55 mph.

High Wind in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:15:00 to 18-OCT-12 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby AWOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.

High Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 05:50:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph and numerous gusts over 55 mph.

High Wind in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 18-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 18-OCT-12 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A nearby ASOS recorded sustained wind speeds near and in excess of 40 mph.