STORM2K

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 621
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
225 PM CDT TUE JUL 13 2004

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

SOUTHWEST IOWA
EASTERN NEBRASKA

EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 225 PM UNTIL 800
PM CDT.

HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 50 STATUTE MILES
NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 45 MILES WEST OF COLUMBUS NEBRASKA
TO 35 MILES EAST OF OMAHA NEBRASKA.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
TORNADOES.

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 619...WW 620...

DISCUSSION...ELEVATED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN NERN NEB N OF
FRONTAL ZONE ACROSS SRN NEB. WITH AIR MASS SEWD FROM STORMS INTO
SWRN IA VERY UNSTABLE...STORMS EXPECTED TO BECOME SEVERE AS THEY
MOVE ESEWD. PRIMARY THREAT WILL BE LARGE HAIL...WITH WIND DAMAGE
POTENTIAL INCREASING AS THEY DEVELOP INTO SHORT LINES/BOWS.

AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60
KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 550. MEAN STORM
MOTION VECTOR 29030.

Kind of took me by surprise a bit. Nothing going on, go to the store for a few things (and I mean just a 12-pack of soda and a book of stamps), comeback and see that my NWR triggered for a watch! With no MD out, it came as a surprise!

Got a line going from around the Ord, NE, area to Tekamah, NE, moving south at 30 mph. It appears large hail and strong winds will be the primary threat; however, the cell west of Norfolk currently looks to have some weak rotation. Something to keep an eye on if you live south and east of this line.

Also, there is potential the line may backbuild into central Nebraska as time goes on, particuarly once it nears the I-80 corridor.

Currently having very heavy rain, gusty winds and lightning in my area. Definitely going to "fun" out there on the freeways on the way home.

Was a bit concerned earlier that a little bit of a tornadic signature was showing up in eastern Saunders County, but it looks like that has gone by the wayside.