Severe thunderstorms produced widespread high winds between Interstate 80 and Highway 6 on this Thursday night and Friday morning. During the mid to late-afternoon hours Thursday, scattered thunderstorms developed from the Nebraska Panhandle down into northeast Colorado. Storm mergers, and an increasing number of storms, resulted in the formation of a squall line by 700 PM CST. This line of storms crossed most of south central Nebraska between 10 PM CST on the 10th and 1 AM CST on the 11th. These storms produced widespread measured gusts between 58 and 70 mph along the entire way across south central Nebraska from the Interstate 80 corridor south to Highway 6. A couple unofficial weather stations measured higher wind speeds including 80 mph near Axtell and 78 near Norman, both in Kearney County. Despite the coverage and magnitude of the winds, damage was only reported in a few spots. Tree branches were snapped off in Minden, an irrigation pivot was overturned near Glenvil, a few trees were blown down in Central City, and six utility poles were blown down or snapped off near Harvard. There were reports in southern Adams County and western Clay County of zero visibility in blowing dust as the high winds from the outflow moved in before the rain fell. Farmers had been preparing the fields for planting. So, top soil was loose and available for easy lofting and transport. Behind the squall line, other scattered thunderstorms developed. The strongest storms moved east along the entire length of Interstate 80 from Lexington to York between 1230 AM and 330 AM CST. These storms were mostly sub-severe, but there was a single report of one inch hail in Kearney at 2 AM CST.
During the morning hours of Thursday, a strong southward-moving cold front crossed Nebraska and became stationary along the northern Kansas border. A low pressure center formed over Wyoming and, by early evening, began moving east along the front. Meanwhile, chilly high pressure moved from the Canadian Prairies into the Great Lakes region. A broad upper-level ridge was over the Plains with a trough along the East Coast and another trough advancing through the western states. MUCAPE was around 1500 J/kg immediately preceding the storms. These storms formed on the northeast fringe of an elevated mixed layer that was advecting into the region, ahead of the western trough. Deep layer shear was 50 kts and greater. This environment was more than sufficient for severe thunderstorms. The cold pool associated with the squall line was strong. The temperature at Lexington dropped 16 deg F in 20 minutes (76 to 60 deg F) as the gust front moved through, and 23 deg in 40 min (76 to 53 deg F).

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:05:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:07:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULINE
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:07:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 65 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:12:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULINE
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:13:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTRAL CITY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in tree damage in Central City.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:15:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in a few broken power poles along Highway 6.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:20:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:20:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:22:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: INLAND
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:30:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:35:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:44:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:51:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:52:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLIGAN
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:54:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRADSHAW
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:54:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: YORK ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:56:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENEVA
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 01:04:00 to 11-MAY-18 01:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: JUNIATA
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 01:17:00 to 11-MAY-18 01:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 02:00:00 to 11-MAY-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:20:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINDEN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in multiple downed tree branches in Minden.

Thunderstorm Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:16:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: AXTELL
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 21:32:00 to 10-MAY-18 21:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: COZAD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 22:00:00 to 10-MAY-18 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 22:15:00 to 10-MAY-18 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 22:29:00 to 10-MAY-18 22:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 22:35:00 to 10-MAY-18 22:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 22:55:00 to 10-MAY-18 22:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 65 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 65 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE ARPT
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:02:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: FUNK
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:06:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:09:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: (EAR)KEARNEY ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:10:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ODESSA
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:20:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: AXTELL
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:21:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:33:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORMAN
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:40:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORMAN
Magnitude: 76.00 MG
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:45:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLSTEIN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:55:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GRI)GRAND IS RGNL A
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:57:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: HASTINGS
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.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:59:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAY-18 23:59:00 to 10-MAY-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HASTINGS
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:00:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEDALE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:01:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULINE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH knocked over an irrigation pivot section.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 to 11-MAY-18 00:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GRI)GRAND IS RGNL A
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS