It’s baseball season, and Mother Nature decided to celebrate by dropping baseball-sized hail across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.
Severe thunderstorms swept across the region on Thursday night, pummeling communities with massive hail pellets. Hurricane-force winds and a few tornadoes touched down to exacerbate the severity of these storms, causing tremendous property damage.
Hail is one of the hazards of living in the Great Plains, but this week’s storms were severe even by those standards.
“We’ll see large hail every year, but we haven’t seen a significant hailstorm like this in a few years,” said Laurel McCoy, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) Office in Omaha, Nebraska. “These storms are not as common, but not terribly rare. It’s the combination of the large hail with 80 mph winds that causes all the damage.”
Advertisement
Upward Movement
McCoy said the source of the hail, thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds stemmed from the same source.
The same weather conditions that led to a series of winter thunderstorms in southern Wyoming manifested differently in eastern Nebraska as a cold front from Canada descended on the Great Plains.
“We had some really strong winds, (bringing) moisture and warmer temperatures ahead of that cold front,” she said. “The combination of those conditions and the clashing temperatures caused the storms to develop.”
Moisture advection is the horizontal transport of water vapor by wind. This transport of moisture, combined with the influx of colder air, created several storms and the perfect conditions for hail formation.
Hail forms as moisture is sucked into the updraft of a storm and stays in the freezing zone of storm clouds long enough that water droplets start to freeze. The duration of their stay in the freezing zone determines how big the hail can get.
Advertisement
“Strong updrafts help to hold precipitation in the clouds rather than letting it fall,” McCoy said. “The longer those water droplets stay in the freezing zone, the more they collide with other droplets and get bigger until they get heavy enough to fall out. The stronger the updraft, the bigger the hail.”
There were reports of baseball- and softball-sized hail across eastern Nebraska on Thursday and Friday, which indicates the updraft was strong enough to retain moisture in the clouds until they reached tremendous sizes.
The upward movement of moisture is crucial to the formation of hail. There’s no transition between rain droplets and icy pellets of destruction.
“The way the precipitation droplets form determines whether it’s going to be rain, snow, or hail,” McCoy said. “Snow forms in and falls out of the clouds as snow, but when moisture is lifted into the freezing zone, it forms and falls as hail.”
Totaled
Josh Bottger, from Fremont, Nebraska, told KMTV that the hail started out as pea-sized then progressed to golf ball and ping pong-ball sized. The destruction was immediate, he said.
Advertisement
“It’s totaled,” Bottger said of his truck. “It broke out windows. Absolutely demolished.”
The siding on his house was destroyed as well, he said.
One tornado, north of Omaha, was designated an EF3 with winds up to 140MPH.
That tornado, according to Nebraska Public Radio, damaged several homes.
It was one of six tornadoes reported on Friday night.
Advertisement
All Hail Wyoming
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming usually have the highest number of hailstorms in the United States every year. These states meet in an area known as “hail alley” and average seven to nine hail days per year.
Hailstorms aren’t uncommon in April. What made the storms in eastern Nebraska so destructive were the 80 mph winds, which increased the destructive force of the massive hail.
As seasons change, the clash of cold fronts and warmer temperatures creates the prime conditions for hail to form and fall across “hail alley.” McCoy said everyone on the Great Plains should anticipate the hazards ahead.
“Hail is more common in the spring and into the early summer months because of the deeper temperature gradients along these fronts,” she said. “During spring, cooler air high in the atmosphere comes in above the warmer air that’s near the surface. As we get further into the summer, cooler air isn’t as cool anymore. The cold front rolls through, the freezing line lifts higher, and it’s harder for those storms to get droplets into that freezing zone.”
Hail is a bigger problem for eastern Wyoming than the rest of the state. The worst hailstorms of the year tend to occur in Chugwater, Wheatland, and Torrington in early June.
Advertisement
“ The topography mixed with the higher elevation means they get terrible hail,” Gerry Claycomb, a meteorologist with the NWS Office in Cheyenne, told Cowboy State Daily in 2021. “Some of the worst hail reports I’ve seen in the state have come from there.”
Giant hail, on the scale of what fell over eastern Nebraska on Thursday, tends to stick further east. McCoy said it’s more common in the nation’s interior, with Wyoming right on the edge of the region where hail reaches its maximum sizes.
“Large hail is more common in the Great Plains region between the Dakotas and northern Texas,” she said. “The further you get from that cooler Canadian air, the harder it is to get giant hail, but it’s fairly common across the Great Plains.”
Wyoming sits right along the transition from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, which means it’s within the realm of the largest hailstorms. The state’s topography also makes it one of the windiest places in the nation, which increases the potential damage from hail, regardless of the size.
In late June 2024, baseball-sized hail destroyed a solar farm near Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Winds gusts would have been between 100 and 150 mph for the hail to cause such extensive damage.
Advertisement
As summer approaches and cold fronts descend into the Great Plains, everyone in the central U.S. should anticipate more hailstorms. Wyomingites might not get the worst of it, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be spared.
“If you start to see hail falling, or even the dark cloud of a thunderstorm, seek shelter indoors, because you don’t want to get hit with anything it’s bringing,” McCoy said.
Contact Andrew Rossi at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com
The same cold front that crippled Wyoming with winter thunderstorms caused tornadoes, 80 mph winds and baseball- to softball-sized hail in eastern Nebraska. It left a huge swath of destruction behind. This is damage to a house and car in Fremont, Nebraska. (Ashly Lathrop via X, @LathropAshly)
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)
KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.
They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.
Advertisement
The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.
“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”
Students representing UNK include: Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano Minden – Evan Porter, percussion Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
Advertisement
With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
Advertisement
Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC head coach Eric Musselman has already surpassed the wins total from his first season in charge of the Trojans. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Advertisement
USC Scout
Head Coach
Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
USC leads 6-5
Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Washington guard Desmond Claude (1) was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year at USC before transferring. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Advertisement
Key Returners
Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Another standout guard for USC last season, Wesley Yates III (9) transferred to Washington ahead of his redshirt sophomore year. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Advertisement
Impact Transfers/Newcomers
Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
Advertisement
While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
Advertisement
Rodney Rice (1) was scoring over 20 points per game for USC before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Advertisement
Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.
On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.
Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)
During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.
After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.
Advertisement
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)
Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.
Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
