Severe storms bring gusty winds, drop hail in Nebraska Panhandle

SIDNEY - The Nebraska Panhandle received its first series of severe storms this spring on Friday afternoon.

The first severe thunderstorm was issued for eastern Dawes County at 3:53 p.m. 60 mph wind gusts and hail measuring in 1.25 inches were the main threats. Severe storms continued throughout the region until 6:30 p.m.

Trained weather spotters reported hail the size of nickels two miles northwest of McGrew in Scotts Bluff County. Hail the size of mothballs was reported in Sidney. A wind gust of 59 mph was recorded northwest of Alliance. 

Temperatures in Sidney dropped from 77 degrees to 54 degrees as the storm blew through.