This Thursday evening featured the most significant severe weather event of mid-late summer 2013 within South Central Nebraska, occurring mainly between 6 pm and midnight CDT as a series of multicell storm clusters with a few embedded supercells sank southward through the area, eventually congealing into a forward-propagating mesoscale convective system (MCS). Although nearly the entire 24-county area observed thunderstorm activity, there were two primary corridors of severe storms. In the west, Dawson County bore the brunt of severe weather with reports of quarter to golf ball size hail and estimated wind gusts up to 80 MPH. Just west of Gothenburg, four empty rail cars were blown over, and in Lexington, two empty semi trailers were toppled. Farther east, a more widespread corridor of severe storms initially entered far northern counties such as Valley, Greeley and Nance, before propagating southeast across the eastern Hall, Hamilton and Clay County areas before weakening. North of Interstate 80 most storm reports were marginally severe, consisting of quarter size hail and wind gusts to around 60 MPH, including a measured 59 MPH gust at Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island. However, storm mergers resulted in a notable upswing in storm intensity over southern Hamilton and especially Clay County, which was overall hardest-hit from a combination of quarter to golf ball size hail and winds estimated up to 80 MPH. This combo resulted in a significant swath of crop destruction, with radar data and limited reports suggesting that the worst crop damage extended roughly 30 miles from southwestern Hamilton County near Giltner through the Harvard, Clay Center and Edgar areas. Other notable storm reports included an irrigation center pivot blown onto Highway 6 southeast of Inland, along with a farm storage shed destroyed in the same area. Farther south, Edgar suffered significant wind damage, especially to trees but also to some structures. A grain bin that blew onto railroad tracks in Edgar was actually struck by a train, shutting down the tracks for several hours (this was the second significant severe weather event to strike Edgar in recent months, following an EF2 tornado on May 27th). Although a few storms during the evening exhibited radar-indicated rotation, and a funnel cloud was reported northeast of Wolbach shortly before 7 pm CDT, there were no confirmed tornadoes within the area. In addition to hail and wind, various locations received heavy rainfall of 2-4 inches, although flooding issues were held to a minimum. A few of the highest-known measured storm totals featured 3.90 near Cozad and 3.80 near Edgar.
Breaking down event timing, several hours prior to the evening main show, an initial series of strong to marginally severe multicell storms developed southward out of north central Nebraska and skirted far northeast portions of the local area mainly between 8 am-noon CDT. The only report from this early activity was nickel size hail at Spalding. Following a multiple-hour lull, clusters of severe storms again built southward into primarily the northeast quadrant of South Central Nebraska between 6-8 pm CDT, a continuation of activity that initially flared up along the South Dakota border earlier in the afternoon. As these eastern storms started to concentrate near the Interstate 80 corridor around 9 pm CDT, a separate cluster of severe storms including an embedded supercell initiated just northwest of the local area over Custer County and dropped slowly southward into Dawson County between 930-11 pm CDT. During this same 930-11 pm CDT time frame, the eastern storms also intensified as multiple cells including another embedded supercell merged into a southward-surging MCS, creating the swath of Clay County damage before steadily weakening along the Nuckolls-Thayer County line. Over time, both the eastern and western convection joined together along a common outflow, gradually losing intensity and drifting southward through southern portions of the area. All thunderstorm activity finally vacated the entire 24-county area around 5 am CDT on the 2nd. On the synoptic scale aloft, this was a fairly weakly-forced event, with an absence of notable shortwave troughs within a west-northwest flow regime sandwiched between an upper ridge centered over the southern High Plains and an expansive low centered near Hudson Bay. However, mid-upper flow was seasonably strong over Nebraska, resulting in a favorable severe weather environment with 0-6 kilometer vertical wind shear around 40 knots during the evening hours. In the low-levels, convergence along a developing east-west warm front was the primary focus for initial afternoon development across northern Nebraska. As these storms propagated/developed southward into the local area, they encountered an unstable air mass featuring most-unstable CAPE values around 2000 J/kg and plenty of low-level moisture, evidenced by surface dewpoints well into the mid-upper 60s F. The southward propagation of convection was also aided by a southerly, 850 millibar low level jet ramping up to around 40 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:29:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A combination of hail and strong wind created a swath of crop damage, which occurred from 2-3 miles west of Giltner to 2 miles south of Giltner. Leaves were stripped from crops. The time was estimated from radar data.

Funnel Cloud in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 17:49:00 to 01-AUG-13 17:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLBACH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A cone-shaped funnel was reported.

Hail in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 10:03:00 to 01-AUG-13 10:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPALDING
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This public report was relayed by local media.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:00:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four empty freight cars were blown over from the railroad tracks. The time was estimated from radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:04:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: INLAND
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An irrigation pivot and large tree branches were blown onto Highway 6. A farm storage shed was destroyed. Severe crop damage also occurred.

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:13:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

The time of occurrence was estimated from radar data and also using a nearby report. Severe hail damage to crops occurred. This report was from Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:19:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tree damage also occurred in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:19:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tree damage occurred in town, along with one inch diameter hail.

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:20:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:20:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous large trees fell onto homes.

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:29:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLOW IS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: County Official

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A grain bin was blown onto train tracks and was hit by a train. A railroad employee reported that machinery from Grand Island was brought in to remove the bin from the tracks. This apparently took rather large machinery to perform this task. The tracks were finally cleared by 430 am CDT on August 2nd. Golfball size hail also occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 22:44:00 to 01-AUG-13 22:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: OVERTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A semi-tractor trailer was pushed over. Also, the storm chase vehicle was pushed sideways.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 22:16:00 to 01-AUG-13 22:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trailers were blown onto their sides at Tyson Foods. The trailers were empty. Time was estimated from radar. A photo was received via Facebook of two full length truck trailers that were blown over.

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Also, a grain bin was blown onto train tracks and was hit by a train. A railroad employee reported that machinery from Grand Island was brought in to remove the bin from the tracks. This apparently took rather large machinery to perform this task. The tracks were finally cleared by 430 am CDT on August 2nd.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Public

A very large and healthy tree snapped at the base and fell onto the roof of a home. The base of the trunk was conservatively estimated at 2 feet in diameter.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:55:00 to 01-AUG-13 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:10:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:20:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREELEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN). The time was estimated from radar data.

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:36:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:06:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 21:11:00 to 01-AUG-13 21:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The hail was initially three quarter inch diameter and grew to one inch diameter. The time is estimated, using radar data. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 12 hour total of 3.05 inches of rain fell through 7 am CDT.

Heavy Rain in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.45 inches of rain fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network.

Heavy Rain in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: COZAD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.90 inches of rain fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Informtaion Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.72 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WORMS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.12 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:43:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARWELL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail also occurred with heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:04:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARWELL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three quarter inch diameter hail also fell.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:08:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GRI)GRAND IS RGNL A
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:57:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:20:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREELEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A large tree was down, closing a county road. An exact location was not specified. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network. The time was estimated from radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:10:00 to 01-AUG-13 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELGRADE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Estimated wind gusts of up to 60 mph occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:15:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This wind gust was measured on the southeast side of Grand Island, east of Holiday Inn.

Hail in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 19:43:00 to 01-AUG-13 19:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARWELL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail fell with heavy rain, along with estimated 60 mph wind gusts.

Hail in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 20:04:00 to 01-AUG-13 20:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARWELL
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Estimated 60 mph wind gusts also occurred.

Heavy Rain in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.71 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARDY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.00 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.08 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAVENNA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.11 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED CLOUD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.20 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).

Heavy Rain in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-AUG-13 18:00:00 to 02-AUG-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12 hour total of 3.80 inches fell through 7 am CDT. This report was from the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NERAIN).