textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Warm today with highs in the 80s, while a few 90s are expected near the Nebraska/Kansas border. Very high fire danger is expected across eastern Nebraska.

- Very high fire danger expected Thursday with gusty winds of 25 to 30 mph and gusts of 35 mph. There is a 15 to 20% chance for some scattered rain showers in the morning and afternoon.

- Slight 15 to 20% chance for a rain/snow mix south of I-80 early Friday morning. Temperatures rebound for the weekend with very high to extreme fire danger expected, particularly Saturday.

LONG TERM

/FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

Early Friday morning could see a few lingering 15 to 25% PoPs for a rain/snow mix along the Nebraska/Kansas border as an H5 impulse moves in behind the front. For the rest of the day, will see sfc high pressure move in which should help gradually lower wind speeds throughout the day. Highs only warm to the 50s due to the cooler air in place.

The sfc high pressure moves off to our east by Saturday, helping switch winds to the southwest. A tight pressure gradient sets up in the vicinity of a 30 to 35 kt LLJ. So, expect a gusty day with 20 to 25 mph winds and gusts up to 35 mph. Highs warm to the 60s, and combined with RH of 15 to 20%, will once again see areawide very high to even extreme fire danger.

The warming trend continues for Sunday as 1000-500 mb thicknesses increase over much of the Central Plains. Expect highs in the mid 70s to low 80s in our far western areas. Winds will be slightly less gusty compared to Saturday but should still see the very high fire danger continue given the lingering breeziness and dry conditions. Monday and Tuesday will see continued warmth with highs in the 80s both days areawide. An active pattern returns though starting early Monday as the H5 ridge finally pushes east over the southeast CONUS. Several impulses are expected to track northeast toward the area, resulting in PoPs of 30 to 50% for rain and thunder late Monday into Tuesday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 502 AM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail throughout the forecast period. Low-level wind shear will continue at all sites as 35-42 kt southwesterly winds move into FL014. LLWS is expected to diminish by 25/14Z. Southerly winds this morning will gradually veer to westerly by the afternoon and northwesterly by the evening. A few wind gusts in the 15-20 kt range are expected to work into KOMA and KLNK through the late morning, gradually calming under 12 kts into the afternoon. A few mid- and high- level clouds will pass by through the period.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...None. IA...None.