Destructive storms ravage eastern Nebraska, cooler then rainy toward Easter Sunday
Long-track storms around and just north of I-80 Thursday evening were destructive.
The first tornado warnings of the year were issued in Nebraska, with up to 10 tornado reports and hail reports up to SOFTBALL size (or 4″ in diameter).
Reports continue to pile on across Nebraska and Iowa, totaling over 170 reports after 7 a.m. Friday morning.
The National Weather Service of Omaha will be working with emergency management partners in the coming days to conduct damage surveys.
Report of softballs came from Fremont, Nebraska, with these photos shared with me of siding torn apart and a windshield completely bashed in. Softball size hail (at least) had also been reported near Arlington.
Lincoln also barely missed a storm that came through northern Lancaster, impacting the Branched Oak Lake area. Hail up to 2″ was reported with the picture on the left from Caryl Bohn.
Up to BASEBALL sized hail was reported in Bennington from Andrew Grieve (photo on the left below).
As this same system brought some snow to northwest Nebraska this morning, the whole state is a lot cooler in its wake.
Overcast skies much of Friday with a north wind keep temperatures about 30 degrees colder than yesterday in Lincoln.
Heading into Easter weekend, we’ll see more of a mix of clouds and sun Saturday before a wetter day Sunday.
If you missed out on some rain Thursday – that was a good thing! It means you missed out on the severe weather.
But don’t worry – there are several more chances including the second half of the weekend without the risk of severe weather.
Scattered showers look to move in Easter Sunday in the morning just after about sunrise, becoming somewhat steady by the afternoon. Rain will taper off by Sunday evening.
Potential rainfall amounts from around Lincoln to Omaha and south could be somewhere around 0.25-1″ through Sunday night! Hoping for that!
Then there are numerous chances throughout the final full week of April next week to pick up on some more rain. Yay!
Wishing everyone a peaceful and pleasant Easter weekend!
Meteorologist Jessica Blum
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