Dustin Wilcox

Tornado earlier near Palmer KS - pretty from a distance, not so pretty up close. #KSwx

Clearly visible double warm front across #NEex region w/ convectively enhanced OFB across NW MO into NE KS & the true warm front stretching from LNK to Red Oak. As LLJ ramps up overnight & OFB surges north these setups often lead to enhanced MCS & yield corridor of very heavy🌧️

NAM similar to Euro & demonstrating one variable that would aid in mitigating 🌪️ threat some across NEB on MON - how that COLD front behaves will be key. Warm sector is prime for 🌪️’s, but mean vectors propagating storms into cold air would severely limit the threat for #NEwx.

MON has a widespread outbreak ceiling- but for NEB, many variables remain unknown. Location & orientation of boundaries will be key, among other atmospheric details that won't be resolved by models or forecasters until later SUN. Remain wx aware & regularly check daily forecasts!

SUN brings higher end sig risk - but likely much less widespread. As overnight wave exists, a strong CAP will take over, the next wave & upper dynamic support looks to arrive by late evening- this will likely set the stage for a localized, but very high end thrat across C & E NEB

#NEwx severe wx hype-🚂 full speed ahead! Synoptics in place for sig severe risk across NEB SAT-MON, even Panhandle❄️- however, there are still potential derailing variables. I'd recommend staying tuned to daily forecasts & not getting too wrapped up in scary 2-3 day predictions

Good News: This week's storm brought decent snow to North & South Platte Basin & pushed snowpacks above all-time lows for period of record! Bad news: They're still basically at POR lows (2nd & 6th percentile) - with no real big storms through the mid-range forecast. #COwx #NEwx

MiniCOW packs MegaPOWER! Observes birth and ingestion of satellite tornado and Fujiwara effect deflecting tornado. Tornado transitions 2x between clear eye and debris ball. Prelim data from most powerful mobile radar, 1 MegaWatt C-band storm-penetrating miniCOW in Braman, OK 🌪️

Concerning fire event unfolding in Nebraska. Appears to be multiple lightning starts southwest of Valentine. Another very large fire southwest of Broken Bow. Winds turning Westerly through tomorrow will present significant issues with a fuels landscape that is mostly continuous.

@thestormandsky Exception the NAM, with an evolution that seems more realistic given current conditions and boundaries.

Oh ffs there's 3 models doing that.

Breaking Weather: The OTUS Project team first ever 360 drone video inside of the Wyoming IA tornado today! Contact me via DM to license the footage. #iawx #WyomingTornado

If all the red doesn’t make it clear, just look at the % of Median! ALL Western US Basin snowpacks FAR below average - w/ most experiencing POR all time lows. South Platte Basin as an example currently @ 28% of Median - low totals & then an exceptionally early runoff. #Newx

Mountain snowpack, which feeds our rivers in spring and summer, is at its lowest value in the historical record after declining weeks ahead of schedule due to the extreme warmth in March. Season to date snowfall is near record lows in Cheyenne and Scottsbluff #wywx #newx

A fast-moving wildfire has burned about 80,000 acres in six hours in the Ashby area, according to fire officials. The town of Ashby and portions of Hyannis have been evacuated. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says structures have been burned, and local homeowners report the fire reached the town. Video courtesy: Michaella Fenster sandhills.newschannelnebraska.com/story/21837139…

Nebraska desperately needs 🌧️! I don’t want to be too optimistic given how fickle long range forecasts & spring systems are - but ensembles favoring at least a temporary pattern shift conducive to leeward cyclogenesis & subsequent 🌧️ chances across Plains & #NEwx late next week!

SUNDAY 🔥 UPDATE: Nebraska wildfires have now burned more than 700,000 acres — nearly the size of Rhode Island. Major fires continue across central and western Nebraska as firefighters from across the state work to slow the spread.

Omaha Beach on the west end of Lake McConaughy at 8 p.m. Saturday. REMINDER: Immediately evacuate the Cedar View to Omaha Beach area of Lake McConaughy, including the K2area, due to a wildfire. Evacuate to the Keystone Lemoyne Fire Hall. 📹 Justin Loghry

Another Red Flag Warning for parts of south central #NEwx and north central #KSwx on Saturday. Conditions will worsen in the afternoon as temperatures near 80 degrees, southwest winds increase and the relative humidity falls.

Today, I declared a state of emergency within Morrill, Garden, Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, Dawson, and Frontier Counties to help combat wildfires. This proclamation allows the Nebraska Adjutant General, who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator, to activate appropriate State emergency plans and take such steps as he deems necessary to meet this emergency and protect life and property in this state. Additional actions include: —ordered NDOT road graders to assist with fire breaks —ordered National Guard troops to assist local firefighters —deployed National Guard helicopters to do aerial firefighting —activated a state-led Complex Incident Management Team to coordinate response