Several storms produced prolific amounts of hail on this Wednesday. Thunderstorm activity was continuous, in some shape or form, from late morning all the way through midnight. The hailers began early, as a short line segment of individual storms developed over Custer and Dawson counties. The southernmost storms in this line produced some one inch hail over northeast Dawson and northwest Buffalo counties just prior to noon. Those storm gradually dissipated during the early afternoon hours, but other very isolated storms did form behind the dissipating storms through mid-afternoon. By 5 p.m. CST, three discrete storms were in progress over parts of Valley, Sherman, and Buffalo counties. They had intensified, become supercells, and were severe. These storms propagated southeastward over the following couple hours, affecting parts of Howard, Hall, and Hamilton counties as well. Each of these storms produced swaths of hail up to the size of golf balls. Some storms produced so much hail that the ground appeared white. A mesonet site in Farwell, in western Howard County, measured winds of 59 MPH as well. Another line of multicell storms formed from northwest to southeast behind these storms. The strongest storm within this line developed over Howard County around 9 p.m. CST. It tracked southeast from near St. Paul, across Aurora, and all the way down to Hebron, exiting Thayer County shortly after midnight. This storm produced one inch hail in several locations along its path. Cell training resulted in a swath of two to three inches of rain across Valley, Howard, Merrick, northern Hamilton, and York counties. The highest total was 2.90 in Scotia, in Greeley County. One of the isolated storms that developed in the middle of the afternoon was a slow-moving supercell (right-mover) that propagated into Furnas County. As this storm headed southeast, another small storm briefly developed and moved into the northwest corner of the county before dissipating. Both of these storms affected the Cambridge area between 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. CST, dropping two to three inches of rain. This resulted in a flash flood, with several inches of water flowing across Highway 6.
Given the sustained and persistent thunderstorm activity, the lack of forcing was very surprising. A modified continental air mass was in place. Weak high pressure was over the region to begin the day. As the high departed, a surface trough migrated into Nebraska, ahead of a strong cold front that was dropping through the Dakotas. In the upper-levels, a broad trough was over the central United States. The band of Westerlies was north of Nebraska, associated with the approaching front. There was a weak shortwave trough approaching by early evening, but it was still upstream over Montana and Wyoming. During peak heating, surface temperatures were in the 80s, with dewpoints in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Mid-level lapse rates were poor, but despite this MLCAPE varied between 1000 and 2000 J/kg. Deep layer shear was 45-50 kts, with 0-3 km SRH 150-250 m2/s2. This shear was more than sufficient for the observed mixture of multicell and supercell convective modes.

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 15:45:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:24:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash Flood in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:30:00 to 09-SEP-15 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Water approximately 8 inches deep was reported to be running over Highway 6 on the west side of Cambridge.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:41:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:45:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:50:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERDALE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:00:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELYRIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail between half dollar and golf ball size was reported.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:00:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail ranging in size from quarter to tennis ball size was reported in the area.  Inside the city of Kearney itself, hail was quarter to golf ball size.

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:20:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:27:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:47:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Public

Extensive soybean crop damage was reported in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 18:01:00 to 09-SEP-15 18:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARWELL
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous tree limbs and power lines were downed. Some home windows were also broken.

Hail in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 18:04:00 to 09-SEP-15 18:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: NYSTED
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 18:14:00 to 09-SEP-15 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANNEBROG
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Quarter to golf ball size hail was reported in the area.

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 18:37:00 to 09-SEP-15 18:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GRI)GRAND IS RGNL A
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 23:35:00 to 09-SEP-15 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELVIDERE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Home siding was damaged in the area.

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 10:48:00 to 09-SEP-15 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDDYVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 11:40:00 to 09-SEP-15 11:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 15:13:00 to 09-SEP-15 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 15:23:00 to 09-SEP-15 15:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 15:35:00 to 09-SEP-15 15:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 15:51:00 to 09-SEP-15 15:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:36:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMHERST
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:37:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 16:57:00 to 09-SEP-15 16:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERDALE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:29:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: (EAR)KEARNEY ARPT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail was reported near Minden interchange of Interstate 80.

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:50:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 17:30:00 to 09-SEP-15 17:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 19:03:00 to 09-SEP-15 19:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 19:30:00 to 09-SEP-15 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Hail in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 20:00:00 to 09-SEP-15 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 21:52:00 to 09-SEP-15 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 22:04:00 to 09-SEP-15 22:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 22:40:00 to 09-SEP-15 22:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SARONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 09-SEP-15 23:15:00 to 09-SEP-15 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue