Tornado Watch for Northwest Kansas, Western Nebraska Through Saturday Evening

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued Tornado Watch 254 for parts of northwest Kansas and western Nebraska through Saturday evening, warning that a few tornadoes are possible along with very large hail up to 3 inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 75 mph.

The watch was issued at 4 p.m. MDT Saturday by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, and remains in effect until 10 p.m. MDT, or 11 p.m. CDT in Central Time areas. It covers portions of northwest Kansas and western Nebraska.

Forecasters said scattered severe thunderstorms, including supercells, are expected to develop into the evening. According to the SPC, the tornado risk is expected to increase in a moist air mass as low-level winds strengthen. The agency listed the primary threats as “a few tornadoes possible,” “scattered large hail likely,” with isolated hail up to 3 inches, and scattered damaging winds with isolated gusts to 75 mph.

A tornado watch does not mean a tornado has been confirmed. It means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area, and people should be ready to act if warnings are issued. As the National Weather Service puts it: “A Tornado WATCH means Be Prepared. A Tornado WARNING means Take Action!” A warning means a tornado is imminent or occurring, and people should take shelter immediately.

The SPC said residents should watch for later statements and possible warnings from local National Weather Service offices, including Goodland, Kansas, and North Platte, Nebraska. In a status report issued after the watch was posted, the center said, “The severe weather threat continues across the entire watch area.” Late May is part of the peak severe-weather season in the central U.S., including the central High Plains.