NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The National Weather Service confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado near Ashby Sunday evening, prompting urgent warnings across the Nebraska Panhandle.

At 6:24 p.m. MDT, spotters reported a significant tornado over Ashby, about 36 miles north of Arthur, moving northeast at 15 mph. The National Weather Service labeled the situation as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS), warning of a life-threatening threat with potential for considerable damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.

The tornado was expected to impact mainly rural areas of southwestern Cherry, northwestern Grant, northern Garden and southeastern Sheridan counties, including areas near Dominick Lake, Finnegan Lake, Bingham and Mother Lake. Hail up to three inches in diameter was also associated with the storm.

Shortly after, at 6:27 p.m. MDT, a new tornado warning was issued for southwestern Cherry and northeastern Grant counties. Radar indicated rotation near Whitman, 30 miles west of Mullen, with the storm moving north at 15 mph. This second storm could produce a tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

Highways impacted by the warnings include stretches of Highway 2 and Highway 61.

Residents in the warned areas were urged to take immediate shelter in a basement or an interior room away from windows.

The tornado threats continue amid an active evening of severe weather across western and north central Nebraska, following earlier reports of tornadoes near Bingham, funnel clouds near Ellsworth and large hail throughout the region.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 11 p.m. MDT.