Sunday, June 26, 2011

Severe Weather Update - Nebraska & Western Iowa


Thunderstorms have been attempting to develop and organize for the last couple of hours in a band from southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa, as shown in the above image just taken from the Omaha area radar.

So far, this activity is developing just above the surface level, ahead of a warm front that is slowly lifting Northward out of Kansas.  During the next couple of hours, this activity is expected to become better organized and rapidly intensify as very warm, unstable air lifts Northward into the region from Kansas on the approaching warm front.

Very large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible with stronger storms that form within this region.  I would expect a Tornado Watch to be issued during the next 1-2 hours for this area.

Meanwhile, strong to severe thunderstorms continue to organize further to the Northwest over Nebraska, as shown in the latest North Platte area radar below:


A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is currently in effect for this region until 8pm CDT:


This activity is likely to continue moving and/or developing Southeastward during the evening hours, and could pose a significant risk of damaging winds and/or hail into southeast Nebraska and adjacent portions of western Iowa later this evening (in addition to the other severe weather threat described for that same area at the beginning of this post).

Depending on the exact eventual movement of this complex, it could also affect portions of far northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri later this evening as well.

If you live across any of the above mentioned areas, please remain alert this evening.  Review severe weather preparedness tips, and be prepared to seek immediate shelter if threatening weather approaches your area.

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