Evening weather severe, but brief

A brief but intense weather system rolled through southwest Cheyenne County Thursday evening, producing high winds, heavy rains and the report of a brief land spout tornado.

A meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Cheyenne confirmed NWS had received a report from a trained weather spotter that a land spot tornado briefly touched down west of Lorenzo.

Responding to the report were Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jensen and Region 21 Emergency Management Director Ron Leal. Sheriff Jensen was first to the area, but the reported tornado had dissipated by the time he arrived.

Jenson reported high winds buffeted the area, estimating velocity over 50 miles per hour. Leal said by the time he reached the area his instruments showed 40-45 mile and hour winds, but he was sure those weren’t the peak.

Locally heavy rains made gravel roads slimy as well, with large amounts falling in a short time.

National Weather Service radar estimated up to two inches of rain in spots, although the only actual measurement provided was 1.4 inches at Lorenzo. A second measurement, of 1.42 inches from southwest of Lorenzo, was posted on the NeRAIN (Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network) Website.

Continued severe weather was forecast for Friday night, with the possibility of smaller evening events through the weekend.