LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s state climatologist says the tornadoes that roared through the Pilger area appear to be rare in their size and intensity.

State Climatologist Al Dutcher said Tuesday that major storms with more than one tornado are fairly common. But in most cases, one twister grows stronger and larger while the other weakens and shrinks.

Dutcher says the strength of both tornadoes likely increased because they had no nearby storms competing for wind and moisture, and the atmosphere was highly unstable.

National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Bryant in Hastings says the number confirmed so far this year is roughly in line the yearly average of about 54.

Van DeWald of the National Weather Service in Valley says the season started quietly but has picked up with tornadoes in mid-May and June.