A rare late-season tornado was confirmed Sunday about 25 miles south of Hastings, near the town of Lawrence, Nebraska. According to spotter reports to the National Weather Service, it was a cone-shaped tornado that dropped and lifted intermittently. It was first seen about 4:30 p.m.
A tornado warning was in effect until 5:30 p.m. for portions of Nuckolls and Clay Counties, south and southeast of Hastings.
No major damage was reported. Near Red Cloud, an outbuilding was flipped, tree limbs and power lines were downed and center-pivot irrigators were overturned, according to reports to the National Weather Service.
Merl Heinlein, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hastings, said early indications are that a single twister hop-scotched over the area. He said the weather service would send a team out Monday to survey the damage and path, which is necessary to rank the tornado’s strength.
A tornado this late in the year is unusual, Heinlein said. A single supercell developed in the Hastings area, as warm, moist air clashed with an arriving cold front.
By Nancy Gaarder Posted 11/27/16
Photo by Red Cloud and Guide Rock Fire Department
