A storm system moving from the Great Basin into the Northern Rockies is expected to bring widespread rain, flooding concerns, and severe thunderstorms across multiple U.S. regions through June 1, 2026. The highest rainfall threat is forecast across portions of Montana on May 30, 2026, while severe storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are expected across parts of Nebraska and South Dakota.
A Particularly Dangerous Situtation (PDS) Tornado Watch issued for northeast Kansas and southeast Nebraska on May 18, 2026, was followed by multiple tornado reports, hail up to about 7 cm (2.75 inches), and damaging wind reports across the central U.S. Preliminary SPC storm reports included 19 tornadoes, damage to farm structures, grain bins, trees, and power lines.
At least 25 tornadoes were reported across four states in the central United States on May 17, 2026, with widespread damage being reported in parts of Iowa and Nebraska.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed portions of central and northeastern Kansas into far southeastern Nebraska under a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms on Monday, May 18, 2026. Supercells are forecast to produce all severe hazards, including 5–10+ cm (2–4+ inches) hail and strong to intense tornadoes, mainly from central Kansas into southeastern Nebraska.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the Central Plains and Southeast United States on March 28, 2026, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of critical fire weather conditions driven by strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and humidity levels as low as 10–20% are expected to promote rapid fire ignition and spread. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across all warned regions.
Multiple Red Flag Warnings are in effect across parts of the High Plains through March 21, 2026, as very low humidity, gusty winds, and anomalously warm temperatures support critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service warns that any fires that develop could spread rapidly and erratically.
A wildfire outbreak in western and central Nebraska has burned more than 243 000 ha (600 000 acres) since March 12, 2026, according to state officials, including the Morrill Fire, which Gov. Jim Pillen described as the largest wildfire in Nebraska history. One fatality has been confirmed as strong winds and critically dry vegetation fueled a rapid fire spread across the Nebraska Sandhills. The fires have also burned parts of Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge within the Sandhills, a region regarded as the world’s most intact temperate grassland.
Strong northwesterly winds and very low humidity will bring critical fire weather conditions across eastern Colorado and western Kansas on Thursday, January 15, 2026, prompting the National Weather Service in Goodland to issue a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch. At the same time, high wind watches have been issued across the northern and central Great Plains, with gusts up to 120 km/h (75 mph) expected Thursday through Friday, January 16.
A powerful post-Thanksgiving winter storm is spreading across the Midwest and northern Plains on Friday, November 28, 2025, prompting widespread winter storm warnings and advisories from eastern Nebraska and Iowa through southern Minnesota and Wisconsin.
A woman was killed and a man critically injured on August 9, 2025, when a large tree fell on their vehicle at Two Rivers State Park near Waterloo, Nebraska, during severe storms.
