textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- There is another chance for some high fire weather danger conditions Monday. A few isolated thunderstorms will be possible Monday evening.

- A cold front slips in from the north on Tuesday, ushering in much colder air. Tuesday afternoon temperatures may be 10-30 degrees cooler than Monday afternoon in some locations.

- Expect a pattern shift bringing cooler and potentially wetter conditions Tuesday through the end of the forecast period.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1153 PM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026

The forecast period begins with weak ridging over the Central High Plains, which will progress eastward overnight. Winds have become light and variable with RH values improving, so fire weather concerns are not expected for the rest of the night. Heading into Monday morning, we will start out on a warm note for overnight lows, dipping into the mid to upper 40s for most locations. WAA is expected as the ridge moves overhead during the day. Near record temperatures are expected Monday afternoon, climbing into the mid to upper 80s for most of the region.

Minimum RH values will fall into the upper teens in northeastern Nebraska to the upper 20s toward Rulo and Beatrice. Winds will be on the lighter side where the lower RH values are located. However, dry conditions are still expected, resulting in potentially some elevated fire weather concerns. Monday afternoon, a mid-level shortwave trough lifts into the region. With some instability in the region, there will be a chance of a few sprinkles or showers developing in the afternoon. The question will be whether these showers can overcome dry lower levels and reach the surface. Monday evening, showers and a few isolated thunderstorms may be possible.

Expect a change in the pattern Tuesday which will last through the extended forecast. A cold front will swing south into eastern Nebraska late Monday night/early Tuesday morning. Colder air will push into the region behind the front, with expected temperatures Tuesday afternoon potentially being as much as 10-30 degrees cooler than Monday afternoon in several locations. Tuesday will be a day to watch in terms of dryness early in the day which could result in some fire weather concerns. However, a frontal passage and northwest winds should help raise RH values to limit some of the potential fire weather concerns. This will be a situation to watch as the best chance for fire weather issues would be areas ahead of the front where temperatures will tend to be a bit warmer.

Tuesday night/Wednesday, temperatures will be on the cooler side, allowing for the possibility of a rain/snow mix for some areas, and snow in the northern CWA.

Models are favoring a cooler and potentially wetter forecast period Tuesday through the weekend as several disturbances are expected to move through the region. Periodic chances for precipitation are expected through this timeframe. Better chances for precipitation will be Thursday through Saturday morning as a storm system is expected to move in. With the current expected track of the system, it will be able to tap into some warm, moist Gulf air, pulling it northward with eastern Nebraska/western Iowa potentially benefiting from some much needed rain. Models do digress on timing of when the system exits the region, so continue to monitor the forecast for changes.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1228 AM CDT Mon Mar 30 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail for the duration of the TAF cycle. Light winds under 5 kts will persist till about 13z. Thereafter, should see a slight increase to just under 12 kts from the south. Winds become south-southeasterly by 00z but remain under 12 kts. Will see a scattered to broken cloud deck at 15,000 ft and above pass over terminals today. Model guidance suggests a few showers developing after 22z that may affect KOMA and KLNK, but chances (10-30%) will likely be hampered by low level dry air so have left mentions out of TAF for this issuance.

CLIMATE

Issued at 1228 AM CDT Mon Mar 30 2026

.......Monday, March 30th..........

...... FORECAST..... OLD RECORD

Lincoln, NE.. 88F .... 88 in 1917 Omaha, NE.... 89F .... 89 in 1968 Tekamah, NE . 87F .... 81 in 2015 Falls City .. 89F .... 90 in 1986 Norfolk, NE . 86F .... 87 in 1968 Valley, NE... 88F .... 78 in 2012

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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