Scattered to numerous, semi-discrete and multicell thunderstorms blossomed across much of South Central Nebraska on this Saturday afternoon and evening, with a few storms becoming severe and producing hail ranging from 1-2 in diameter. The first severe storm of the afternoon developed near Kearney around 5 p.m. CDT, and was likely the most prolific hail-producer as it slowly drifted north-northwest through central and northwest Buffalo County for nearly two hours. Just north of Kearney, a few vehicles slid off of Highway 10 as it became hail-covered and slick. This storm also produced the largest reported hail of the day (2) north of Riverdale. Between 6-9 p.m. CDT, several other storms either flared up over various parts of the area or pushed northward out of Kansas, with quarter size hail reported near the state line south of Red Cloud and also in Wood River. Even though the mesoscale environment was potentially supportive of a somewhat greater severe weather threat, the fairly rapid development of plentiful convection and resultant storm-scale outflow interference likely mitigated this. With the loss of diurnal heating, storms steadily weakened and diminished in coverage within a few hours after nightfall. Although most affected areas received less than 1 of rainfall, much of northern Kearney County along with adjacent portions of southeast Buffalo, southwest Hall and northwest Adams counties received higher amounts to around 2.
In the mid-upper levels, the primary player was an expansive closed low churning slowly eastward through eastern Colorado, with several smaller-scale disturbances shifting northward into the Central Plains along its eastern flank. At the surface, there were no distinct synoptic features within South Central Nebraska, only fairly weak, broad low pressure and prevailing light southerly to easterly breezes. Despite afternoon temperatures only rising into the low-70s F, the combination of surface dewpoints in the low to mid-50s and notably cold air aloft (evidenced by 500 millibar temps around -18 C) yielded surface-based CAPE around 1000 J/kg in the presence of 0-6 kilometer deep layer wind shear of 30-40 knots.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 17:14:00 to 18-APR-15 17:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 18:40:00 to 18-APR-15 18:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 19:26:00 to 18-APR-15 19:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Pea to penny size hail occurred on the west side of Grand Island.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 16:25:00 to 18-APR-15 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENWOOD PARK
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to golf ball size covered Highway 10 three miles north of Kearney, causing drivers to slide off of the road and into the ditch.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 17:00:00 to 18-APR-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERDALE
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 18-APR-15 17:15:00 to 18-APR-15 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED CLOUD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter