2010 End of the Year Summary

A Look Back at 2010

The following is a summary of significant weather events of 2010 which impacted south central Nebraska and north central Kansas. The summary includes our 'Top Picks' for significant weather events throughout 2010, as well as temperature and precipitation data for the Tri-Cities (Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney), record information, tornado data, as well as highlighted weather stories and events.

Our Top Weather Highlights of 2010

Temperatures: A Cold Start to 2010 - The First Nine Days were among theTop 5 Coldest
Significant snow pack combined with an arctic airmass across the Central Plains to bring frigid cold
temperatures to our region. The first nine days of the year were among the top five coldest on record.

Optics: Sun Dogs January 7th
Bright spots on either side of the sun 'Sun Dogs' made an appearance on January 7th.


Photo by Kathy Boehler.	Photo by Lavern Davis.

Flooding: Loup River Ice Jams March 6-10, Bredthauer Dam Failure June 12th, and the Ericson Dam Failure June 13th
Significant flooding occurred during the month of June as heavy rainfall and runoff caused two dams to fail, flooding the downstream
communities of North Loup and Spalding the weekend of June 12-13th. Earlier in the year in March, ice jam flooding impacted the Loup River.


Loup River Ice Jam. Photo by Nance County Emergency Managment.	North Loup flooding due to failure of Bredthauer Dam. Aerial photo by Gary Keller.	Cedar River Flooding due the failure of Ericson Dam. Photo by the Department of Natural Resources.

Tornadoes: EF2 Tornado in Superior, NE on June 20th
The strongest tornado of the year impacted the community of Superior, NE on June 20th and was rated an EF2.


Tornado damage - garage destroyed in Superior, NE. Photo by Carol Cartier.	Tornado damage - warehouse roof off in Superior, NE. Photo by Carol Cartier.

Severe Weather: Baseball Hail June 5, Lexington Wind Damage June 8, Geneva Wind/Hail June 26-27
The month of June was active weatherwise in terms of severe weather with hail the size of baseballs falling in the Cotesfield area,
thunderstorm winds of 105 mph caused damage in Lexington, and the combination of wind and hail caused damage in Geneva.


Baseball hail in the Cotesfield area. Photo by Adam Lassen.	Shed destroyed in Lexington. Photo by Rick Ewald.	Geneva tree damage. Photo by Terry Marshall.

2010 Temperature and Precipitation Data by the Numbers (All "normals" based on 1971-2000 averages):

Grand Island (Central Nebraska Regional Airport)

Average Daily Temperature For 2010: 50.8 degrees (0.9 ABOVE 30-year average)

Total Precipitation For 2010: 29.29 inches (3.40 ABOVE 30-year average)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Average High (F)

27.2

31.3

50.9

66.6

69.9

83.9

86.0

89.1

79.6

70.9

50.1

36.2

Average Low (F)

12.7

16.4

32.6

42.1

48.4

61.8

66.2

64.4

51.9

40.3

25.8

14.9

Average
Temperature (F)

20.0

23.8

41.8

54.3

59.1

72.8

76.1

76.7

65.8

55.6

37.9

25.6

Departure from Normal (F)

-2.4

-4.4

+3.5

+4.4

-1.5

+1.7

+0.3

+3.1

+1.3

+3.6

+1.5

0.0

Precipitation (inches)

0.54

0.66

2.53

1.94

4.24

8.77

4.10

3.87

1.66

0.30

0.44

0.24

Departure from Normal

0.00

-0.02

+0.49

-0.67

+0.17

+5.05

+0.96

+0.79

-0.77

-1.21

-0.97

-0.42

Snowfall (inches)

5.6

7.4

0.5

0.0

3.0

Departure from Normal

-0.6

+1.5

-6.3

-1.5

0.0

-0.2

-1.0

-4.7

-3.6

New Records for Grand Island:

1/9/2010: Record low of -16 degrees. The previous record was -15 degrees set in 1974.
3/9/2010: Record daily rainfall amount of 1.08 inches. The previous record was 0.55 inch set in 1992.
6/20/2010: Record daily rainfall amount of 1.92 inches. The previous record was 1.90 inches set in 1900.
7/20/2010: Record daily rainfall amount of 1.32 inches. The previous record was 1.12 inches set in 1919.
8/17/2010: Record daily rainfall amount of 1.73 inches. The previous record was 1.30 inches set in 1910.
10/8/2010: Record high temperature of 91 degrees. The previous record was 89 degrees set in 1966.

Hastings (Municipal Airport)

Average Daily Temperature For 2010: 51.1 degrees (0.4 ABOVE 30-year average)

Total Precipitation For 2010: 26.90 inches (1.04 BELOW 30-year average)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Average High (F)

27.7

31.4

50.7

66.1

69.0

83.7

86.6

88.6

78.5

70.5

50.5

36.2

Average Low (F)

13.5

17.0

32.4

42.7

49.0

62.8

67.2

65.0

53.2

41.5

26.9

16.0

Average Temperature (F)

20.6

24.2

41.6

54.4

59.0

73.2

76.9

76.8

65.8

56.0

38.7

26.1

Departure from Normal (F)

-3.0

-5.4

+2.5

+3.8

-2.5

+1.6

+0.8

+2.9

+0.8

+3.0

+1.5

-0.6

Precipitation (inches)

0.32

0.67

2.95

3.60

5.95

4.76

1.85

2.86

2.70

0.16

0.80

0.28

Departure from Normal

-0.23

0.00

+0.87

+0.73

+1.36

+1.17

-1.96

-0.32

-0.04

-1.51

-0.66

-0.45

Snowfall (inches)

3.6

8.3

2.0

0.0

0.1

3.3

Departure from Normal

-1.3

+2.9

-3.7

-1.3

0.0

-0.2

-1.0

-3.4

-2.7

New Records for Hastings:

1/9/2010: Record low temperature of -15 degrees. The previous record was -14 degrees set in 1982.
3/9/2010: Record daily rainfall amount of 0.91 inches. The previous record was 0.64 inches set in 1992.

Please note: At Kearney, the NWS Cooperative Observer at Kearney Regional Airport is considered the official source of temperature and precipitation data for Kearney. Although daily weather data is also collected from automated equipment (AWOS) at the airport, this data is considered unofficial. In this case, the numbers in the table below reflect data from the Cooperative Observer, while the links to monthly data at the top of the table reference AWOS data.

Kearney (Cooperative Observer at Regional Airport)

Average Daily Temperature For 2010: 50.1 degrees (1.1 ABOVE 30-year average)

Total Precipitation For 2010: 24.91 inches (0.29 BELOW 30-year average)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Average High (F)

31.0

33.4

50.5

66.3

68.7

82.5

85.9

87.7

79.2

71.3

50.6

36.4

Average Low (F)

12.5

15.2

29.7

40.0

46.0

59.2

64.5

63.5

50.4

38.4

24.3

13.5

Average Temperature (F)

21.8

24.3

40.1

53.2

57.4

70.9

75.2

75.6

64.8

54.9

37.5

25.0

Departure from Normal (F)

-0.6

-3.3

+3.1

+5.0

-1.8

+1.1

+0.5

+3.1

+1.3

+3.5

+1.7

-0.9

Precipitation (inches)

0.03

0.67

1.84

3.22

3.36

5.28

4.61

3.47

1.02

0.34

0.93

0.14

Departure from Normal

-0.51

+0.06

-0.21

+0.79

-0.76

+1.56

+1.18

+0.57

-1.01

-1.20

-0.29

-0.47

Snowfall (inches)

0.6

4.9

1.0

0.0

1.8

Departure from Normal

-4.7

-0.2

-4.6

-2.0

0.0

-0.2

-0.8

-4.8

New Records for Kearney (Based on the NWS Cooperative Observer):

10/3/2010: Tied the record low of 31 degrees. The previous record of 31 degrees was set in 1980.
10/8/2010: Tied the record high temperature of 90 degrees. The previous record of 90 degrees was set in 1991.

Tornado Summary

Tornadoes 2010 - There were just five days with tornadoes during the 2010 Severe Weather Season with all of the tornadoes occuring during the month of June (from June 11-June 20). The strongest tornado touched down on June 20th in Superior, NE and was rated an EF2. The most significant damage was within the city limits of Superior. There was widespread tree damage, a warehouse building and several small buildings were destroyed, and there were several snapped power poles. On the southeast side of town, railroad cars were overturned. Two tornadoes were rated EF1, one in south central Nebraska on June 13, south of Beaver City. This tornado crossed over rural areas, damaging trees and hitting a farmstead. Several metal buildings sustained major damage or were destroyed, and three grain bins were blown away. The second EF1 set down in north central Kansas on June 19th, about four miles northeast of Randall. The tornado caused minor damage to a farm home, and a garage, barn and grain bins were destroyed. Two, brief EF0 touchdowns also occurred in June, one south of Elwood, NE on June 11, and the second on June 20, southeast of Esbon, KS.

The map and table below indicate the location of the tornadoes, and the table also includes links to damage surveys.

*2010 Tornado Summary for South Central Nebraska* and North Central Kansas
Date	Location	Path Length	Path Width (Max)	Rating	Injuries	Deaths
June 11	8S Elwood, NE	0.10 mile	20 yards	EF0	0	0
June 13	8 miles south southeast of Beaver City, NE	1.78 miles	300 yards	EF1	0	0
June 19	3.9 miles northeast of Randall, KS to 4.8 miles east northeast of Randall, KS	2.10 miles	350 yards	EF1	0	0
June 20	0.7 mile southwest of Superior, NE to 1.2 miles southeast of Superior, NE	1.49 miles	1300 yards	EF2	0	0
June 20	2.5 miles southsoutheast of Esbon, KS	0.10 mile	20 yards	EF0	0	0

Weather Stories

January - February

January 2: Snowfall of 1 to 4 inches fell during the day, adding to the snowpack already on the ground. Click here for the snow totals.
January 6-9: An arctic airmass brought snow, gusty winds and bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills. Click here for snow and wind gust information, and here for climatological data on the cold temperatures.
January 7: Sundogs appeared in the sky during the morning and evening. Click here to see the photographs.
January 1-9: For most locations across south central Nebraska and north central Kansas, the first nine days of January 2010 made the Top 5 for the coldest on record. Click here for the temperature information.
January 25: Strong northwest winds had gusts over 50 mph in several locations. Click here for the wind gusts.

February 4-5: Snowfall of 1 to 5 inches fell during the two day period. Click here for the snow totals.
February 14: Very strong northwest winds gusted in excess of 40 mph on Valentine's Day. Click here for information on the peak wind gusts.
February 18-19: Light snow fell across portions of south central Nebraska. Click here for the snow amounts.
February 20-21: A winter storm system brought 1 to 4 inches of snow over the weekend. Click here for the snow totals.
Winter 2009-2010: The winter months have been downright cold, and days where temperatures have reached 50 degrees were minimal. Click here for information on the cold temperatures.

March - April

March 4th: The prolonged stretch of sub 50 degree temperature days came to an end. Click here for the temperature information.
March 5-6: Widespread rain fell across the region. Click here for the rain amounts.
March 6-11: Ice jam flooding impacted the Loup River near Genoa. Click here for photos and links to video of the ice jam.
March 8-9: Widespread rain set daily record rainfall amounts at Grand Island and Hastings . Click here for the rainfall map.
March 1-12: The first 12 days of March were the wettest on record for Grand Island and Hastings. Click here for the precipitation data.
March 13: This day marked the 20th anniversary of the March 13, 1990 tornado outbreak. Click here for information on the tornadoes.
March 19: The last full day of winter featured another round of snow. Click here for the snow amounts.
March 26-27: Locally heavy rain in excess of an inch fell across portions of southern Nebraska and north central Kansas. Click here for the rain amounts

April 6-7: April showers brought widespread rainfall to our region. Click here for rainfall amounts.
April 7: Strong north winds had gusts in excess of 35 and 45 mph. Click here for the wind speeds.
April 13: A week later, winds were strong again, this time from the south. Click here for the wind speeds.
April 13-16: Widespread rain tallied amounts in excess of 1 and 2 inches for many locations . Click here for the rainfall totals.
April 26: Strong northwest winds had gusts in excess of 40 mph. Click here for the wind speeds.
April 29: Severe thunderstorms produced golfball size hail and heavy rainfall. Click here for the reports.

May - June

May 6: Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds. Click here for the storm reports
May 7: Windy conditions developed in a tight pressure gradient. Click here for the peak wind speeds
May 22: Another windy day set up across the region. Click here for the peak wind gusts.
May 23: Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain. Click here for the storm reports
May 24: South winds gusted in excess of 40 and 50 mph, then severe thunderstorms developed later in the day. Click here for the wind speeds and here for storm reports.
May 30: Locally heavy rainfall between 1 and 2 inches fell across portions of the area. Click here for the rainfall amounts.
June 1: Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and heavy rainfall. Click here for the storm and rainfall reports.
June 3: Another round of severe thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail and heavy rain. Click here for the reports.
June 5: Thunderstorms produced baseball hail in central Nebraska. Click here for the reports and photographs.
June 8: Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds in excess of 60-70 mph and quarter size hail. Click here for the storm reports. The city of Lexington sustained wind damage from the storms. Click here for the results of the damage survey.
June 10: Heavy rainfall of 1 to 3 inches fell across portions of south central Nebraska. Click here for the rainfall amounts.
June 10-14: Significant rainfall amounts during the five day period set a few record. Click here for the rainfall totals.
June 11-13: Days of significant rainfall caused the earthen Bredthauer Dam to fail in Sherman County, and widespread flooding occurred in the town of North Loup. Click here for areal flood photographs and storm reports.
June 13: Ericson Dam failed in Wheeler County, causing widespread flooding downstream along the Cedar River in Greeley County. Click here for photographs on information on the river crests.
June 13: A tornado touched down in Furnas County south of Beaver City. Click here for the results of the damage survey.
June 17: Severe thunderstorms produced hail to the size of golf balls. Click here for the storm reports.
June 19: Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging winds and a tornado near Randall Kansas. Click here for the storm reports and here for the results of the damage survey.
June 20: A tornado touched down in Superior, NE. Click here for the results of the damage survey.
June 19-22: An active severe weather pattern set up for several days. Click here for the storm reports.
June 26: The city of Geneva sustained damage from damaging winds and large hail. Click here for the reports and photographs.
June 1-30: The month of June was a wet one, with several locations making the 'Top 5' for the wettest on record. Click here for the rainfall information.

July - August

July 4-6: It was a wet 4th of July weekend. Click here for the three-day rainfall totals.
July 10: Severe thunderstorms produced 60 mph winds and golf ball hail. Click here for the storm reports.
July 11: Another round of severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds in excess of 90 mph and large hail. Click here for storm photographs and reports.
July 12: Severe thunderstorms produced hail to the size of baseballs, and a 'hail spike' was evident on radar. Click here for the storm reports.
July 14: More severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall. Click here for the storm reports.
July 17: The heat turned on and heat indices reached 102-117 degrees. Click here for information on the heat indices.
August 11: The Grand Island Regional Airport hit 100 degrees. Click here for the temperature information.
August 12: Hastings reached a high temperature of 101 degrees. Click here for the temperature information.
August 17-18: Heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches fell mainly north of Interstate 80. Click here for the rainfall totals.
August 23-24: Significant rainfall of 2 to 5 inches fell across portions of north central Kansas and south central Nebraska. Click here for the rain amounts.
August 30: Severe thunderstorms produced 60-70 mph winds. Click here for the storm reports.

September - October

September 6: A smoke plume from a fire north of Boulder, CO snaked east across the Plains. Click here for satellite images.
September 13: Severe thunderstorms produced baseball size hail and heavy rain. Click here for the storm reports.
September 14-15: Another round of severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Click here for the storm reports.
September 17-18: Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, strong winds and heavy rain. Click here for the storm reports.

October 3: The record low temperature was tied in Kearney, Nebraska. Click here for the temperature information.
October 3: Several locations recorded temperatures cold enough for the first frost or freeze of the season. Click here for the temperature information.
October 8: Record high temperatures were tied or broken at Grand Island and Kearney. Click here for information on the records.
October 25: NWS rural Elwood cooperative observer received the Holm Award. Click here for information on the award presentation.
October 26-27: Very strong winds buffeted the region and wind gusts exceeded 40 and 50 mph. Click here for the wind speeds.

November - December

December 11: Intense northwest winds buffeted the Central Plains following the passage of a strong cold front. Click here for the wind gusts.
December 20: Ice jams along the Platte River in Hall County caused lowland flooding. Click here for photographs.
December 28: Up until December 31st, accumulating snowfall lacking in Grand Island. Click here for Information on late season snowfall for the tri-cities.
December 31: A winter storm system produced widespread accumulating snowfall for the first time of the season. Click here for the snow amounts.

This page was composed by the staff at the National Weather Service in Hastings, Nebraska.

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2010 End of the Year Summary