On this Friday, scattered thunderstorms formed over southwestern Nebraska during peak heating, from Ogallala down to Imperial. Some of these storms moved northeast, and as they did so, new thunderstorms initiated ahead of them over South Central Nebraska between 10 and 10:30 pm CDT. The two strongest storms were short line segments of multicells. The first developed and affected Sherman and Howard counties. The second was associated with the storms moving in from the west, and affected Dawson county. Severe weather was not widespread. A single report of one inch hail was received in Gothenburg. Elsewhere, trees and power lines were knocked down in Loup City in Sherman county. One inch hail was also reported in the nearby town of Ashton.
The rainfall amounts were far more impressive than the severe weather. After 11:30 pm CDT, additional thunderstorms formed, connecting the two individual storm clusters. This created a continuous line of storms oriented from west-to-east which slowly sank southeastward. Cell training occurred and resulted in widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches from Sherman, Howard and Merrick counties across York, Adams, Clay and Thayer counties. The highest totals exceeded 4 inches, in and near Loup City in Sherman county. The synoptic and mesoscale setups were ideal for heavy, excessive rainfall. Surface high pressure was departing the region, with a stationary front extending from the Nebraska Panhandle southeast to Louisiana. An upper-level ridge was over the Plains, just east of South Central Nebraska. A 35 knot low-level jet provided a favorable environment for thunderstorms to develop, transporting increasingly warm, moist air over the front and into South Central Nebraska. Mean layer CAPE averaged around 2,000 J/kg. Precipitable water was around 1.2 inches, which was almost 2 standard deviations above normal for late May.

Heavy Rain in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 3.63 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Heavy Rain in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 4.28 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 22:31:00 to 24-MAY-13 22:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy Rain in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST PAUL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total rainfall of 3.03 inches was reported.

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 23:00:00 to 24-MAY-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy Rain in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 3.10 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Heavy Rain in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A storm total rainfall of 3.00 inches was reported.

Heavy Rain in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST PAUL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 3.11 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Heavy Rain in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTRAL CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 3.03 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Heavy Rain in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 4.01 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 22:30:00 to 24-MAY-13 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Wind gusts estimated near 60 mph resulted in tree damage and power outages in Loup City.

Heavy Rain in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 24-MAY-13 18:00:00 to 25-MAY-13 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A storm total rainfall of 3.22 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network Observer.