Major severe weather event unfolds across south central Nebraska during the afternoon and evening of May 12th, including wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH. The most significant severe weather event of May 2022 occurred on a Thursday in which multiple rounds of thunderstorms wreaked havoc on essentially all of south central Nebraska at some point. The most intense severe weather, by far, was the first round. This activity actually developed over portions of west/southwest Kansas during the morning hours and moved northeast. Rapid intensification took place between 1PM and 2PM CDT as thunderstorms organized into a long line, and the first Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for areas from Phillipsburg, KS to Lexington, NE. Initial storm reports ranged from quarter to ping pong ball size hail with the southern portion of the line, to widespread damaging wind gusts with the northern portion of the line across a large portion of Dawson County. Wind damage consisted of overturned pivots, uprooted trees, broken power poles, fence and roof damage, large tree limbs downed. Wind damage was widespread over central and western Dawson County where measured wind gusts of 60-70 MPH were common. Even an 82 MPH gust, which is considered ���significant severe���, was measured by a mesonet near Eddyville. Surface temperatures near 90 degrees and mixed layer CAPE values in excess of 3000 J/kg ahead of the line of thunderstorms, amidst 35kt to 50kt of southwesterly deep layer shear, allowed for continued intensification through the mid to late afternoon as the line raced northeast. Additional significant damaging wind impacts were felt across Sherman, Valley, and Greeley Counties. Valley County was another area especially hard hit. Here, several wind gusts in the 80-90 MPH range were reported, and damage was significant. Numerous trees were uprooted, pivots overturned, and outbuildings and grain bins destroyed. Another destructive aspect of this storm is that it also produced ping pong ball sized hail that was blown by the intense winds. This resulted in significant window and body damage to cars, as well as roof, siding, and window damage to homes. Additional significant wind damage was reported in and around Burwell (just barely outside this coverage area). The first round of thunderstorms exited north/northeast of the area around 3:30PM CDT, but the next round was ���hot on its heels���, and entered southern Nebraska around 4PM CDT, and quickly became severe. In fact, brief, but intense, circulations were noted on radar for a time just south and southeast of Hastings. This round affected mainly areas along and east of Highway 281. Since this region was spared from the first round, and a similar thermodynamic and kinematic environment was still in place, it���s no surprise that this round also intensified enough to produce ���significant severe��� wind gusts, most notably in a swath from Clay County northeast to Polk County. Several more 60-70 MPH wind gusts were reported in these areas, causing more overturned pivots, downed power lines, and damage to roofs, outbuildings, and grain bins. Also, intense wind gusts moved over Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, causing multiple overturned semis. This second round exited into eastern Nebraska and out of the Hastings CWA around 7PM CDT. The third and final round began to affect areas along and east Highway 183 between 7PM and 8PM CDT. The majority of this activity remained sub-severe as the greatest instability had been used up by the two previous rounds. However, a marginally severe wind gust of 59 MPH was measured at the Hastings airport shortly before 8PM. Thereafter, weakening ensued as the line became strung out and forward propagation slowed. Thunderstorms finally exited south central Nebraska between 11PM and midnight, ending a roughly 10 hour stretch of seemingly never ending severe weather!
Meteorologically speaking, this event was driven by a particularly volatile combination of intensifying shortwave ejecting from the central Rockies into the northern Plains, very unstable airmass (MUCAPE of 3000-4000 J/kg at it���s peak), and strong deep layer shear driven by 500 mb speed max of 60-70 kt. While this setup is not unheard of for mid-May, it���s certainly not very common, and for three distinct waves of thunderstorms to move through in a 10 hour period (two of which contained significant severe weather phenomena) is also not very common. From a regional perspective, the Hastings CWA was the developing grounds for a significant derecho that would propagate into the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley and go on to produce hundreds of measured severe wind gusts and wind damage reports, of which over 60 were considered ���significant severe���. Over 75 hail reports and nearly three dozen tornado reports were also reported, with the majority of tornadoes occurring in SD and MN. For 2022, this will likely be remembered as one of the most severe convective events of the year, both locally, and across the greater region.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 14:01:00 to 12-MAY-22 14:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLBACH
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located seven miles north-northeast of Wolbach.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:13:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUSHTON
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 65 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-northeast of Lushton.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:11:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts of 60 MPH and 71 MPH were measured by a mesonet station located two miles east-northeast of Henderson.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:30:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENEDICT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles north-northeast of Benedict.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:36:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRESHAM
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile north-northwest of Gresham.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:28:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: YORK
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles west-northwest of York.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:22:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: POLK
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located in Polk.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:33:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSCEOLA
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles south-southeast of Osceola.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:49:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGAR
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 70 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles west of Edgar.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:11:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARQUETTE
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles south of Marquette.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:15:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by the Aurora Airport AWOS.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:40:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 78 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northeast of Shelby.

Thunderstorm Wind in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:59:00 to 12-MAY-22 17:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 66 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-northeast of Davenport. A gust of 61 MPH was measured by a mesonet stateion located four miles east-southeast of Davenport.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 17:35:00 to 12-MAY-22 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENEVA
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northwest of Geneva.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 18:24:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBBON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 18:48:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by the Hastings Airport ASOS.

Hail in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 19:45:00 to 12-MAY-22 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKHAM
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:45:00 to 12-MAY-22 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORLEANS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:49:00 to 12-MAY-22 12:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTRAND
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by a Nebraska Mesonet site located six miles south-southeast of Overton.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:15:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBBON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Dime to quarter size hail was accompanied by wind gusts estimated to be near 55 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:26:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Kearney.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:40:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Visibility was reduced due to blowing dust.

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:47:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:17:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED CLOUD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in some downed power lines in Red Cloud.

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:39:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hail up to the size of half dollars was reported at the NWS Hastings office.

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:40:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULINE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:45:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles south of Doniphan and a wind gust 58 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile east-southeast of Doniphan.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:47:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 66 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Fairfield. A gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles north-northwest of Edgar.

Thunderstorm Wind in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:30:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 77.00 MG
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH were reported along and near this path. Peak measured wind gusts include: 89 MPH, by a mesonet station located eight miles west-southwest of Ord; 82 MPH, by a mesonet station located four miles west-southwest of Ord; 75 MPH, by a Nebraska Mesonet station located two miles northwest of Ord; 73 MPH, by a mesonet station located six miles southwest of Ord. Widespread damage was reported in and around Arcadia by a NWS Cooperative Observer, who estimated wind speeds to be 80 to 90 MPH with near-zero visibility due to blowing dirt. Numerous trees were uprooted or torn apart, and many buildings and grains bins were damaged or destroyed. Numerous pivots were overturned. Hail up to the size of ping pong balls was driven by this wind, enhancing the destructive nature of the storm. In and around Ord, law enforcement also reported widespread tree damage, along with fencing and shed damage. The NWS Cooperative Observer in Ord reported pea to dime size hail lasted for approximately 10-15 minutes. The Fort Hartsuff State Park area in far northern Valley County also reported tree damage.

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:41:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported on Highway 281 north of Hansen.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:50:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in damage across Clay Center. Emergency management reported widespread tree damage and power outages across town and much of Clay County. A couple metal buildings in town sustained damage, including one at the grain elevator. A few power poles were also damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:48:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station located four miles northeast of Fairfield measured wind gusts of 64 MPH and 69 MPH. A wind gust of 60 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located four miles southeast of Clay Center. A NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles east-southeast of Clay Center estimated wind gusts to be near 70 MPH, and also reported near-zero visibility due to blowing dust.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:50:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 74 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located two miles southeast of Harvard. A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a Nebraska Mesonet station located four miles southwest of Harvard. A NWS Cooperative Observer reported that a semi-truck was blown over on Highway 6 just west of the Highway 14 intersection north of Clay Center and a car was blown off of Highway 6 near Road T near Saronville.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:50:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 73 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located one mile northwest of Henderson. Emergency management estimated wind gusts near 70 MPH five miles south-southwest of Giltner. A trained spotter reported a destroyed grain bin approximately four miles northwest of Stockham, which was blown onto a rural road near Highway 14.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:00:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in multiple semi-trucks being blown over on Interstate 80 between mile marker 326, which is two miles east of the Giltner interchange, and the Aurora/Highway 14 interchange. At least three irrigation pivots were tipped along both sides of the interstate in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:33:00 to 12-MAY-22 12:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTRAND
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located in Bertrand. There was an irrigation pivot tipped over near the county line west of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:35:00 to 12-MAY-22 12:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSON RES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in part of a roof being peeled off a cabin at a trailer court on the east side of the lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 16:20:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: YORK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 75 MPH in the area. Visibility was near-zero due to blowing dust, semi-trucks were tipped over along Interstate 80 in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:40:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Measured wind gusts through the county included 82 MPH, measured by a mesonet station located one mile southwest of Eddyville, and 66 MPH, measured by a mesonet station located five miles north-northeast of Lexington. Damage in the Lexington area included tree limbs down, trees uprooted, some fencing damage, and damage to power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 12:47:00 to 12-MAY-22 12:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: OVERTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Numerous tree limbs were downed, with a handful being at least six inches in diameter. Some tree limbs ended up in power lines. A few trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:15:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITCHFIELD
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts estimated to be hear 65 MPH resulted in tree and grain bin damage in and around the Litchfield area. Visibility due to blowing dust was near-zero.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:26:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts of 65 MPH and 69 MPH were measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northwest of Loup City. A wind gust of 71 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northeast of Sherman Reservoir.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 13:35:00 to 12-MAY-22 13:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: COOP Observer

The NWS Cooperative Observer located two miles west of Arcadia reported hail up to the size of ping pong balls, driven by wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 14:07:00 to 12-MAY-22 14:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPALDING
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in a metal roof being peeled off of a calving shed approximately one-half mile east of Spalding.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:23:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: COWLES
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH caused minor outbuilding damage in Cowles.