EF1 tornado in Cherry County, Nebraska

Tornado touched down 18 miles southwest of Merritt Reservoir and ended just after crossing Boardman Creek, approximately 13 miles west-southwest of Merritt Reservoir. The tornado crossed through shelterbelts and winds were estimated at 107 MPH.

An upper level trough of low pressure aloft was situated over the Intermountain West on April 27th. East of this feature, a warm front lifted into western Nebraska and became the focal point for thunderstorm development during the late afternoon hours. Initial thunderstorms developed over western Garden County and tracked northeast into abundant low level moisture, strong low level shear and increased instability where they quickly became severe. Hail up to 3 inches in diameter and eleven tornadoes occurred with the severe storms which continued into the mid evening hours. Activity finally weakened over northern Cherry County by late evening. A couple of tornadoes were rated EF2 with winds estimated up to 132 MPH.