Thunderstorm Wind — Lancaster, Nebraska

2025-05-18 · near Malcolm, Lancaster, Nebraska

Event narrative

Emergency management report of 2 to 3 inch in diameter tree branches down and shingle blown off outbuildings. Wind speed estimated from damage and time estimated from radar.

Wider weather episode

On May 18, 2025 and into the morning hours of May 19, 2025, a negatively tilted mid- to upper-level trough advancing into the central Plains helped spawn a surface low over eastern Colorado. A warm front associated with this system became nearly stationary just south of the Nebraska-Kansas border. North of the front, elevated instability, increasing low-level moisture, and 35+ kt deep-layer shear'along with a strengthening low-level jet'supported the development of strong to severe elevated thunderstorms during the evening and overnight hours.

Most hail reports remained sub-severe, including 0.88-inch hail in Jefferson County and 0.75-inch hail in Pawnee County. However, pockets of strong to severe wind gusts were observed behind the main convective activity. These were likely enhanced by downward momentum transfer from the intensifying low-level jet, aided by evaporating anvil-level precipitation and steep lapse rates. Several reports of thunderstorm wind damage were received overnight. In Colfax County, public reports noted tree damage and structural impacts to porches and roofs. In Lancaster County, Emergency Management reported tree limbs down.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.9100, -96.8700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1253900. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.