textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Gusty southwest winds decrease as a boundary slips through the region today, shifting winds out of the north. Mainly dry conditions persist through Friday.

- Warmer temperatures return to the forecast Monday and Tuesday with highs reaching into the 80s.

- Expect chances for showers and storms for at least a portion of the forecast area Saturday and again on Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1252 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

The forecast period begins with an upper trough over the Great Lakes and portions of western Canada with northwest flow over the Great Plains. Expect sunny skies to continue through the afternoon with possibly a few high clouds moving in from the west by this evening. Highs are expected to reach the upper 60s to mid-70s across the region. There is a weak boundary sliding south this afternoon, having already moved through Ord, Norfolk and Tekamah. Gusty southwest winds will persist for a few more hours across southeastern Nebraska/southwestern Iowa as the boundary continues to slide to the south. Behind it, winds have become northerly around 5- 10mph. Winds will become light and variable overnight.

Late Thursday night into Friday morning, an embedded shortwave trough slips through the region, possibly kicking off a few sprinkles or light showers for areas along and south of a line from Genoa to Omaha.

Friday, northwest flow persists over the Great Plains. Much of the day will be pleasant with highs in the 70s. A few locations may approach 80 degrees. Winds remain northerly to northwesterly, increasing late Friday morning/early afternoon. Overnight lows will be mainly in the 40s.

Saturday, a shortwave trough drops in from the northwest into the region. This will give us a chance for some showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening. Additional chances for showers are expected late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Sunday through Tuesday: An upper ridge will be in place over the Canadian Rockies into Idaho and western Montana. Models have a shortwave trough coming ashore over the PACNW by Sunday evening. This system will make its way across northern Montana on Monday, sliding across the Dakotas Monday night/Tuesday morning, and southeastward into eastern Nebraska/western Iowa by late Tuesday morning. Sunday's highs top out in the 70s, with 80s expected Monday as WAA takes place. Chances for showers and thunderstorms return to the forecast Tuesday as the system moves through. There is still some uncertainty in the timing and location of the system, so this forecast may change as we come closer to the event.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 612 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

High confidence in VFR conditions continuing at terminals this evening and for the duration of the TAF period. Will see a scattered to broken cloud deck at 10,000 ft approach terminals late tonight and persist into Friday. Model guidance indicates some low end potential (10-15% chance) for light rain/sprinkles at terminals from 06z to 13z, but low level dry air will largely limit precipitation reaching the surface. Northwest winds lower to less than 5 kts overnight and switch to the east northeast. Winds then turn north northwesterly in the afternoon with some gustiness of 20-25 kts at KOFK.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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