An intense cyclone moved through the central and northern Plains on Christmas. This brought unusual weather to eastern Nebraska for late December. Strong southerly winds ahead of the system brought unseasonably warm and moist air northward into the region allowing for non-severe thunderstorms to cross the area early in the day on Christmas. By afternoon, a strong front swept across eastern Nebraska bring a line of strong thunderstorms. A couple of the thunderstorms were strong enough to produce isolated severe weather with damaging winds. After the passage of the thunderstorms and as the low pressure moved into South Dakota a strong cold front swept through the area with very strong damaging non-thunderstorm winds across northeast Nebraska. This brought widespread tree and power line damage, as well as some minor structural damage to the area.

High Wind in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-16 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Widespread strong winds of 60 mph or greater were observed over the county. An off duty National Weather Service employee observed tree damage in the city of Wisner from the winds.

High Wind in STANTON, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-16 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Widespread strong winds up to 70 mph were observed across Stanton County. The public reported that a shed had blown down 4 miles north of the town of Pilger.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 14:25:00 to 25-DEC-16 14:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIEND
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 14:41:00 to 25-DEC-16 14:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEWARD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Damage was observed at the Meyer Ford dealership in the city of Seward. At this location several 5th wheel trailers were flipped and some fencing was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 14:44:00 to 25-DEC-16 14:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEWARD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A wood shed was destroyed at a farmstead.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 14:30:00 to 25-DEC-16 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOEHNER
Magnitude: 64.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey indicated that large tree branches were downed at a farmstead at this location, as well as some siding was removed from the home.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 14:31:00 to 25-DEC-16 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUBY
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey observed power poles snapped in this area and center pivot irrigation system overturned.

High Wind in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 19:19:00 to 25-DEC-16 19:54:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 69.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts were estimated up to 80 mph 10 miles north of Columbus. Near the city of Columbus, wind gusts were measured at 59 mph at the Loup Power Plant, 62 mph 1 mile northeast of Columbus, and 68 mph 1 mile west of Columbus. The emergency manager reported trees and power line damage throughout the county.

High Wind in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 20:15:00 to 25-DEC-16 21:35:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-16 23:35:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 63.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Widespread damaging winds were observed throughout the county. Winds were measured just outside the county of 73 mph. Within Knox County trees were powerlines were reported downed.

High Wind in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-16 23:35:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 63.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Widespread damaging winds were observed throughout the county. Winds were measured just outside the county of 73 mph at Yankton, South Dakota. Within Cedar County trees were powerlines were reported downed.

High Wind in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 19:30:00 to 25-DEC-16 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Widespread damaging winds were observed in Butler County during the evening. Winds gusts to near 60 mph and left many tree limbs and powerlines downed.

High Wind in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 19:52:00 to 25-DEC-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in BOONE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 19:15:00 to 25-DEC-16 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

High Wind in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-16 19:52:00 to 25-DEC-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Damaging winds were observed throughout the county. Wind gusts were measured at Norfolk of 70 mph. The damaging winds lasted for over one and a half hours. Damage included some uprooting of trees, large limbs down, power lines downed, and some minor building damage.