Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds affected areas along Interstate 80 during the early morning hours of July 10th. Thunderstorms initially developed over the western Sandhills in central Nebraska during the late afternoon and early evening hours of July 9th. Two supercells merged northwest of North Platte, which resulted in one, forward moving supercell that transitioned to produce intense winds. 80-90mph winds were noted in the North Platte area, including an 87mph gust measured at the North Platte Airport. This activity continued to produce intense damaging wind as it moved southeastward into western Dawson County around 1am CDT on July 10th. The most intense winds occurred in the Cozad area with measured gusts up to 75mph resulting in widespread, significant tree damage in addition to building, power pole, and crop damage. Also, a semi tractor trailer was overturned on Interstate 80 west of Cozad. Another overturned semi tractor trailer was reported just west of Lexington. No injuries or fatalities were reported. Damage in Lexington was not as intense and limited to mainly tree damage with a measured gust at the Lexington Airport of 59mph, respectively. Thunderstorms continued to weaken as they shifted east, with only sporadic, minor tree damage noted in Kearney around 2am CDT. Thunderstorms dissipated to weak showers by 3am CDT.
Overall, it appears that this thunderstorm activity overachieved it���s meteorological environment, at least thermodynamically. The main instability axis of moderate MLCAPE of 1000-2000 J/kg was located primarily across the western High Plains, with generally less than 1000 J/kg of MLCAPE noted across western portions of the Hastings CWA. Instability quickly decreased with eastern extent, which likely led to the rapid decrease in thunderstorm intensity between Lexington and Kearney. However, what was lacking in the thermodynamic environment was likely compensated for kinematically as deep layer shear was impressive at 50-60 kt owing to significant veering of winds from southeast near to surface to west-northwest in the mid levels.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-JUL-20 00:10:00 to 10-JUL-20 00:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLOW IS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH caused an overturned semi trailer near Interstate 80 mile marker 218. This overturned trailer blocked Interstate 80 traffic.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-JUL-20 00:14:00 to 10-JUL-20 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CZD)COZAD MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Emergency management estimated wind gusts to be at least 70 MPH, a mesonet station located 1 mile north-northeast of Cozad measured a peak gust of 75 MPH at 1:18 AM CDT. Damage in and near Cozad was reported, including roof, outbuilding, tree and crop damage. The town square gazebo was pushed over to a 45 degree angle. Power outages were also reported in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-JUL-20 00:25:00 to 10-JUL-20 00:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DARR
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A metal outbuilding was damaged near Darr.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-JUL-20 00:35:00 to 10-JUL-20 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 10-JUL-20 01:20:00 to 10-JUL-20 01:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH downed a few tree limbs ranging from 2 to 5 inches in diameter.