The sky turns purple as lightning strikes near the Love Library Cupola. July 3, 2026.
Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing

Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing

The skies lit up purple as lightning bounced around after dusk July 3. 

While revelers prepared for fireworks shows, Mother Nature put on one of her own with lightning throwing hues of color into the clouds. The threat of severe weather led to the cancellation of Uncle Sam Jam activities in Lincoln's Haymarket Park. Storms brought a half-inch to an inch of rain overnight in the Lincoln area before the Independence Day holiday. 

Purple skies open up around a building during a lightning strike.
Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing

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