Omaha, NE – The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Nebraska Panhandle, northwest Nebraska, and western and central South Dakota. This watch is effective from 1:35 PM MDT until 8:00 PM MDT on Monday.
According to the NWS, primary threats include scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and large hail, with isolated events reaching up to 2 inches in diameter. A tornado or two is also possible. Initial supercell thunderstorms this afternoon are expected to pose a significant risk for large hail. As these storms progress eastward into the evening, they are anticipated to form a line or cluster, which could elevate the threat of severe winds.
Residents within the watch area, which extends approximately 105 miles east and west of a line from 30 miles north-northwest of Mobridge, SD to 70 miles southeast of Chadron, NE, should stay alert and prepare for potential severe weather conditions. The NWS advises that a Severe Thunderstorm Watch indicates that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in the watch area. People in the region should remain vigilant, monitor weather updates, and be ready to take action if warnings are issued.
In addition, the aviation sector is advised of extreme turbulence, surface wind gusts up to 60 knots, and hail reaching 2 inches. A few cumulonimbi with tops up to 50,000 feet are expected, with storm motion averaging 35 mph towards the east.
