textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Showers and a few storms gradually overspread the area early this morning and linger throughout most of the day (25 to 50% chance). Highs reach the 70s in most locations.

- More showers and some storms move in early Thursday morning and last into Friday. Some areas could receive heavy rainfall, particularly over far southeast Nebraska.

- Warm weather returns for this weekend into early next week, with heat indices potentially reaching the 105 to 110F mark by Sunday.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

Showers will be ongoing early Friday morning as continued lift from the wave and H8 warm advection persist. By the time showers exit Friday afternoon, total QPF beginning from Wednesday will range from around 0.25 to 0.75 inches generally north of a line from Columbus to Glenwood to Red Oak, IA. South of these areas, expect totals of 1 to 1.5 inches, and a few spots in our far southern areas near Beatrice and Fairbury could reach close to 2 inches.

Friday will also be the start to another warming trend which lasts into early next week. 1000-500 mb thicknesses are progged to expand over much of the central CONUS as the main H5 ridge inches eastward and amplifies. Highs for the weekend climb to the upper 90s to low 100s, cooling slightly to the 90s by Monday and Tuesday. Heat Advisory criteria may be met on Sunday over much of the area with guidance showing indices of 105 to 110 for a large portion of the forecast area. A few waves may ride the main periphery of the ridge and generate some scattered showers and storms after Sunday, but chances remain low (<20%) at this time.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 540 AM CDT Wed Jul 22 2026

The first wave of morning showers is beginning to dissipate, with wider coverage along with a rumble of thunder or two are currently in place across central Nebraska. These showers are expected to spread eastward over the course of the morning, primarily affecting KOFK/KOMA and to a lesser extent KLNK, with VFR conditions aside from the center of the strongest of the showers where MVFR visibilities are possible. Winds are expected to remain light through the day and generally be out of the north, with wind directions wavering some due to the showers that are anticipated. Most activity should be southeast of the area by 00z this evening, resuming dry conditions.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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