textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Precipitation chances return to the forecast Thursday as a mid-level shortwave lifts into the region. Severe storms are not currently anticipated.

- A shift in the current weather pattern will result in some cooler temps (highs in the 80s) and daily chances for shower/storms across at least a portion of the forecast area from Friday through early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1111 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026

The forecast period begins with surface high pressure over Minnesota, Manitoba and Ontario. A mid-level ridge sits over the Midwest into Canada and low pressure is currently centered over central California. A mid-level shortwave trough over northern Texas and southern Oklahoma will lift north into south central Kansas and northern Oklahoma through the day Friday. Warm, moist gulf air will move into the region as well. Showers and maybe a few thunderstorms will be possible for areas mainly south of Interstate 80. Severe weather is not expected at this time.

Afternoon high temperatures will reach the mid-80s near the KS/NE border to the upper 80s and low 90s for areas along and north of I- 80. Lows heading into Thursday night/Friday morning will be in the upper 50s to mid-60s.

Friday, the ridge pushes eastward, extending north over Manitoba, Ontario and Minnesota, while the westward extent of it shifts into western Iowa and the eastern portion of the Dakotas. The continued presence of the mid-level shortwave trough over north central Kansas and southeastern Nebraska will bring additional shower/thunderstorm chances (20-40%) to the region on Friday. Areas lucky enough to receive any rainfall may pick up a tenth or two, with some localized higher amounts with any thunderstorms.

Saturday into the extended forecast period: We will see a pattern shift as the closed mid-level low over California will begin pushing to the east. As the low pushes east toward the Four Corners region, it is expected to open into a broad trough. Several shortwaves moving around the main trough will lift into Nebraska and Iowa over the weekend and into next week. With moisture advecting into the region and the shortwaves moving through, there will be daily chances for showers/storms across at least a portion of the CWA through early next week. Expected high temperatures will be in the low to mid-80s while lows will range from the mid-50s to mid-60s.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 555 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026

VFR conditions are observed at terminals this morning with broken to overcast ceilings at or above 25,000 ft. Light easterly winds will become southeasterly late this morning into the afternoon hours, becoming gusty at KOFK and KLNK at 20 to 25 kts. Gustiness subsides by 00z with winds remaining from the southeast but under 12 kts. Have introduced -SHRA at KLNK at 06z as model guidance is in good agreement that widespread showers move into the terminal with over 50% confidence. A drop to MVFR ceilings may occur at this terminal toward the very end of the TAF period. Some guidance hints at much earlier start times for -SHRA around 19z but chances remain less than 50% for occurrence at this time.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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