Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado occurred over portions of south central Nebraska, mainly west of Highway 281, during the afternoon through late evening hours. Initial development occurred roughly along the NE/KS state line between 1600-1700CDT, and was mainly in the form of supercells. By around 2200CDT, nearly a half-dozen supercells affected portions of south central Nebraska roughly along and south of Interstate 80 (I-80) and west of Highway 281 and produced scattered instances of large to very large hail. The largest hail reported was tennis ball in Franklin County, which was associated with one of the first supercells to form in the late afternoon. After the initial round of supercells, which weakened mostly below severe limits by 2230CDT, a squall line of thunderstorms moved into far western portions of the CWA between 2230-2300CDT. The primary severe threat with this activity was damaging wind gusts of 60-65MPH. However, embedded within the squall line was a brief EF-1 tornado that impacted the Johnson Lake area around 2300. A bow echo developed within the squall line between 2300-2400CDT over Dawson County then raced northeast and affected areas north of the Platte River over the next 60-90 minutes. This activity weakened as it exited NE portions of the CWA during the early morning hours of May 6th.
While there were no significant synoptic scale fronts or low pressure systems in the area of this event, the first round of scattered supercells developed along a remnant outflow boundary that was stalled near the NE/KS state line. The second round was a result of thunderstorms that developed over the High Plains which was then supported by an increasing low level jet as activity shifted east overnight. Through the entire event, there was moderately strong instability (2000-3000 J/kg of CAPE), strong deep layer shear around 40-45kt, and steep mid level lapse rates of 7-8C/km. 0-3km shear was also strong during this event, around 30kt, which supported the bow echo development across northern portions of the CWA during the evening hours.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 22:37:00 to 05-MAY-23 22:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 63 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located eight miles south of Elm Creek.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:01:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM CREEK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:08:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM CREEK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:12:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHERMAN RES
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 one mile north of Sherman Reservoir.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:21:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHERMAN RES
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 73 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located six miles north-northeast of Sherman Reservoir.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:28:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENWOOD PARK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:53:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 19:56:00 to 05-MAY-23 19:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOOMIS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 21:04:00 to 05-MAY-23 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWARK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Thunderstorm Wind in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 21:56:00 to 05-MAY-23 21:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
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 south of Johnson Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 22:24:00 to 05-MAY-23 22:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMNER
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 four miles north-northwest of Sumner.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 22:15:00 to 05-MAY-23 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A wind gust of 61 MPH was measured by the Lexington Airport AWOS.

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 22:03:00 to 05-MAY-23 22:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 16:00:00 to 05-MAY-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 16:15:00 to 05-MAY-23 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail up to the size of half dollars was reported in the area.

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 17:30:00 to 05-MAY-23 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: STAMFORD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Hail in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 17:53:00 to 05-MAY-23 17:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 18:40:00 to 05-MAY-23 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTLEY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 19:44:00 to 05-MAY-23 19:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: COZAD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 16:45:00 to 05-MAY-23 17:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPONEE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 2.50M
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported in the area. Hail up to nickel size was reported starting around 530 PM CDT, with the larger hail starting approximately 15 minutes later.

Hail in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 17:10:00 to 05-MAY-23 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 4.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail up to the size of tennis balls was reported across Franklin. There were numerous reports of shredded trees, broken siding and windows and damage to vehicles.

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 18:40:00 to 05-MAY-23 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 18:07:00 to 05-MAY-23 18:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 18:52:00 to 05-MAY-23 18:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHFIELD
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 19:10:00 to 05-MAY-23 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHFIELD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 20:10:00 to 05-MAY-23 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 21:12:00 to 05-MAY-23 21:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 8.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to the size of ping pong balls was reported across Kearney.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:06:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUP CITY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH knocked down a flag pole and two large trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 23:25:00 to 05-MAY-23 23:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTIA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in some tree damage in Scotia and minor damage to a small backyard shed.

Tornado in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 05-MAY-23 21:54:00 to 05-MAY-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DARR
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed within a line of thunderstorms northwest of Johnson Lake in far southern Dawson county just before 11:00 PM on Friday, May 5th. The tornado appeared to begin a couple miles northwest of the toppled three irrigation pivots before hitting the Lakeview Acres area on the northwest side of the lake. At least two large storage sheds were totally destroyed in that area. There were several instances of damage in the area, such as trees, smaller buildings, windows and some roof damage,
including two 2x4 stud driven into the roof of one home. The tornado traversed east across the lake and did significant damage to several homes on the east side of the lake right along the Gosper county line. Along the shore line, at least three homes in a row had all or part of a covered porch blown apart, and one home had a large section of its roof torn off. Another flat roof cabin had its entire roof torn off. A few power poles were snapped. Tree damage was common in this general area. The tornado moved east and upset an irrigation pivot and peeled back some metal roofing from a large building just east of the lake. The tornado likely dissipated east of County Road 428. The
maximum wind speed was estimated to be 95 MPH based upon the residential roof damage and the storage building being destroyed. The path was just under 5 miles long and the width was estimated to be 80 yards.