May 5, 2004 Lincoln, Nebraska Heat Burst (Non-Chase Event)

A heat burst associated with collapsing thunderstorms hit Lincoln at about 10:35 PM. The temperature surged from 82°F at 10:19 pm to 90°F at 10:35 pm. The peak temperature associated with the late evening heat burst was the daily high temperature for Lincoln. Also of note is the dramatic dewpoint drop. It sank from 58°F before the event to 41°F at the height of the event. The temperature spike was associated with a recorded 60 knot wind (upwards of 70 MPH) gust which was induced by collapsing thunderstorms bringing high theta air to the surface. Numerous wind damage reports were associated with the fading storms and the NWS had to issue a high wind warning for the area. I was hoping the outflow was going to cool my place off after a rather warm day but instead was greeted with hot dry air. Attached is a radar image near the time of the burst. Note the well defined outflow boundary southeast of Lincoln.

ASOS Reports (METAR) from Lincoln Municipal Airport (on the northwest side of the city)
KLNK 060401Z 29012KT 10SM BKN100 BKN120 31/06 A2982 RMK AO2 TSE0355RAE0356 P0000
KLNK 060354Z 30020G40KT 10SM VCTS -RA SCT100 BKN120 32/05 A2981 RMK AO2 PK WND
30060/0330 WSHFT 0321 TSB13RAB49 PRESRR SLP082 P0000 T03170050
KLNK 060335Z 30049G60KT 5SM R36/5500VP6000FT VCTS HZ SQ CLR 32/05 A2972 RMK AO2
PK WND 30060/0330 WSHFT 0321 TSB13
KLNK 060319Z 25025G29KT 7SM VCTS CLR 28/08 A2975 RMK AO2 PK WND 26029/0318 TSB13
KLNK 060254Z 22019G24KT 10SM CLR 27/14 A2977 RMK AO2 SLP067 T02720144 53021
KLNK 060154Z 19011KT 10SM CLR 27/15 A2972 RMK AO2 SLP054 T02670150
KLNK 060054Z 19011KT 10SM CLR 28/15 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP052 T02780150

FIG. 1 OAX radar image at 0328 UTC (10:28 pm), just a few minutes prior to the heat burst in Lincoln.

FIG 2. SPC Wind Reports from May 5, 2004. The 60 knot wind gust at the Lincoln airport is not indicted here.