Alliance, NE – The National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch No. 588 for portions of western and north-central Nebraska, in effect until 10 p.m. MDT Wednesday. Residents in the affected areas are being urged to monitor rapidly changing weather conditions.
According to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., the watch area includes Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Dawes, Holt, Keya Paha, Rock, Sheridan and Sioux counties. Forecasters say storms developing this afternoon and evening may bring damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, and frequent lightning.
The watch was issued at 2:45 p.m. MDT as a line of strong storms began forming along a cold front moving through the northern Plains. Weather officials caution that storms could intensify quickly, and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
Residents in the watch zone are encouraged to secure outdoor objects, stay indoors during storms, and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Those traveling through the region should be prepared for sudden downpours, reduced visibility, and hail-covered roadways.
Meteorologists emphasize that a watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, while a warning would indicate that severe weather is imminent or occurring.
This severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. MDT, after which weather conditions will be reevaluated. The public is advised to remain alert and ready to take action if warnings are issued later tonight.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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