NWS In Panhandle For Data On Thursday Tornado

Photo courtesy Maria Baglieri

CHADRON – A team from the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne is in southern Dawes and northern Box Butte Counties today investigating a tornado that struck about 5:30 yesterday.

Data on the intensity of the storm, how far it traveled, and damage won’t be available until the team returns to Cheyenne and writes a report, which might not be until Monday because of the holiday weekend.

The first confirmed sighting was called in to KCSR/KBPY around 5:20 from the Marsland area and the twister tracked southeast, passing by Box Butte Reservoir at one point.

The severe thunderstorm that spawned the twister also brought strong straight-line winds and hail that reached the size of baseballs in some areas.