A striking and dramatic scene unfolded near Dickens, Nebraska, on the evening of June 16, 2025, as a massive tornado touched down. This powerful twister, part of a larger severe weather outbreak across the U.S. Midwest, was captured in stunning detail by storm chasers, notably for appearing alongside a vibrant rainbow.
Videos circulating online show the enormous funnel cloud churning across open farmland south of North Platte, near communities like Wellfleet and Dickens. Storm chasers tracked the immense tornado, described as a “jaw-dropping scene,” for over an hour as it rolled through remote areas. Among the captivating footage, the visual pairing of the destructive tornado and the serene arc of a rainbow created a rare and unforgettable weather phenomenon, documented by individuals like storm chaser Jim Tang.
The Nebraska tornado was one event in a significant severe weather outbreak that produced a total of 16 confirmed tornadoes across the Midwest on June 16, primarily impacting Minnesota where 14 touchdowns were verified. The system spawned from scattered supercells and larger convective complexes, bringing widespread hazards including damaging winds and large hail to several states.
Beyond the dramatic visuals, the storm near Dickens also delivered substantial impacts on the ground. Hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter – approximately the size of a baseball – was reported, along with wind gusts exceeding 70 mph along the associated storm line.
Despite the tornado’s impressive size and duration, local officials reported minimal human impact. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there were no injuries caused by the twister near Dickens. Across the broader outbreak day, which saw numerous power outages and scattered property damage across multiple states, preliminary reports indicated no confirmed fatalities and only minor injuries, highlighting the relatively low human toll despite the widespread severe weather activity.
The powerful tornado and its striking appearance against a rainbow near Dickens stand out as a memorable moment from a day of intense weather that impacted the nation’s heartland. The severe weather pattern was forecast to continue its progression eastward in the days following the initial June 16 outbreak.
