Severe Thunderstorms Will Continue to Pound Parts of the Plains (FORECAST)

June 29,2016

More rounds of severe thunderstorms will impact parts of the Plains states this last week of June, producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and flash flooding. The chance of a few tornadoes also cannot be ruled out.
A pair of thunderstorm clusters produced damaging winds in western Oklahoma and far northwest Texas, then also in an over 400-mile long path from southwest South Dakota across western Nebraska, extreme northeast Colorado and western Kansas.

A radar recap of the twin thunderstorm clusters in the Plains states from the afternoon of June 28 into the early morning hours of June 29, 2016. Storm reports are shown as dots as they were reported to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.

A peak wind gust to 103 mph was measured at an automated weather station in Kings Canyon, south of Chadron, Nebraska, Tuesday evening.
For more storm reports, scroll down to our recap section below.
Playing a role in fueling the stormy weather this week are disturbances riding the jet stream southeastward between a western ridge of high pressure and eastern trough, or southward dip in the jet stream, setting up a "battleground" zone in the Plains where thunderstorms are more likely to occur. A stalling surface front accompanied by waves of low pressure will also help trigger the storms.

Radar, Watches, and Warnings

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)
Below is our latest forecast thinking on the timing and magnitude of the severe threats this week.

Severe Weather Forecast

Wednesday

• Forecast: Scattered severe storms are possible primarily in parts of eastern Wyoming, southwest South Dakota, western Nebraska, northeast Colorado and northwest Kansas. 
• Threats: Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and, possibly, a brief tornado or two.

Wednesday's Thunderstorm Forecast

Thursday

• Forecast: Severe thunderstorms may impact portions of eastern Colorado, far northeast New Mexico, Kansas, northern Oklahoma, the northern Texas Panhandle and Missouri.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts and large hail. Locally heavy rain may cause flash flooding.
• Cities: Wichita, Kansas | Springfield, Missouri

Thursday's Thunderstorm Forecast

Recap

Hail as large as 3.5 inches in diameter impacted Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas Tuesday evening, completely covering the ground in spots, including Coors Field in Denver.

Flooding was also a big problem across the Plains Tuesday evening, including at Coors Field in Denver, in addition to the wind and hail.

There were a few reports of weak tornadoes briefly touching down in eastern Colorado Monday evening, but no damage was reported from those.
Among the wind damage in the Plains states Tuesday included:

• Ogallala, Nebraska: Windows at a tire shop blown out, numerous power lines downed
• Near Hyannis, Nebraska: Roof damage, hay bales destroyed
• Foss Reservoir, Oklahoma: Damage to a marina and boats

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PHOTOS: Plains, Midwest Mid-June 2016 Severe Weather and Flooding