textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- |Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening into tonight. The main hazards will be strong winds, hail, and localized flooding due to heavy rainfall.

- A few showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through Friday across the region.

- A pattern shift Saturday will bring a return of the heat on Sunday and into the extended forecast. Widespread highs in the 90s and lows in the 60s and 70s are expected.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 135 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Showers and a few weak thunderstorms have fired up along a cold front and are currently moving across northeastern Nebraska/northwestern Iowa. This activity is expected to continue over the next few hours. Heading into the evening, models are showing a line of thunderstorms developing along the cold front. MLCAPE values of 2500+ are expected along with DCAPE values of 1000+, particularly for areas extending from along and south of a line from Fremont to Utica. A few single thunderstorms will eventually congeal into a line as it moves southeast. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected with wind, hail, and localized flooding be the main concerns. Precipitable water values are in the 1.4-1.7" range, so any storms that are able to get going could be efficient rain makers. Right now, the best chance for strong storms will be after 7pm. Thunderstorm chances will continue overnight.

A few showers/storms may linger into the morning Thursday, before tapering off by early afternoon. Enjoy the cooler temperatures as highs reach the mid-80s for most locations. Afternoon high temperatures will be dependent on how soon the rain and clouds clear out. A quicker exit would allow us to warm slightly higher than forecasted temperatures, while a delayed exit would result in cooler temps. Despite the slightly cooler temperatures, dewpoints will be in the 60s and 70s, so it will feel pretty muggy. A shortwave trough moves across the region Thursday afternoon/evening, bringing a chance for a few additional showers and storms.

Friday will bring more relief from the heat as highs climb into the low to mid-80s. However, dewpoints will once again be in the 60s and 70s, so it will feel pretty muggy. Another shortwave trough slides across eastern Nebraska Friday afternoon, bringing another chance for showers and thunderstorms.

Saturday through the rest of the extended forecast: An upper ridge builds over the region with surface high pressure centered over Iowa and Illinois. While we will have a break from the thunderstorms, the heat is expected to return. The CPC is showing that there is a good chance of above normal temperatures occurring across the Midwest and Great Plains in the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks. Sunday highs will reach into the 80s and low 90s. Heading into the start of next week, widespread 90s will return. Lows will be in the low 70s several nights.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1205 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

KOFK: Expect VFR conditions through much of the period at the terminal. A thunderstorm has developed northeast of Albion and is moving ESE. A few additional showers are beginning to pop up across northern Nebraska. There is a brief period where a thunderstorm may impact be in the vicinity of the terminal at the start of the TAF time. Additional chances for showers and a few storms are expected by 23Z, with the best chance after 02Z. Expect winds to become northerly around 5-10kts this evening.

KOMA: VFR conditions are expected for much of the period at the terminal. There are a few light showers/storms that have developed across northern Nebraska. These should stay clear of the terminal. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms are expected by around 03Z. Any storms that develop will have the potential of producing some strong winds and possibly some hail. A few lingering showers/storms will be possible after 06Z; however, confidence in coverage across the area after this time is a little less certain. Southerly winds shift to the east this evening before becoming northerly by 12Z.

KLNK: VFR conditions are expected for much of the period at the terminals. Expect southerly winds this afternoon into early evening, transitioning to easterly after 07Z and becoming northerly by 13Z. There is a chance for a few strong to severe thunderstorms this evening, mainly after 03Z. The main concerns with any storms will be strong winds and some hail.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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