textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- A cold front will slide south into Nebraska/Iowa tonight into Saturday. Showers and storms are expected to kick off along and ahead of the front through the day.

- Our next storm system will come into the region Monday night/Tuesday morning, possibly clipping eastern Nebraska/western Iowa with a few showers and storms.

- Expect a return to the 80s Monday through Wednesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 154 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

The forecast period begins with sfc high pressure over western Kansas and a broad upper trough extending from central Montana to New England and south into Oklahoma and Arkansas. A weak, embedded impulse is currently moving across southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas, kicking off a few showers and sprinkles. Dry air in the region has thus far limited precipitation reaching the ground. Made a low end addition (<14%) for PoPs to mention sprinkles but don't expect much if anything to make it to the ground.

Expect afternoon highs to be in the 70s across the region. Winds will increase in northeastern Nebraska, gusting at times to around 20-25mph. RH values may fall into the 20s. High fire danger may be possible for a few hours this afternoon in northeastern Nebraska.

Friday night/Saturday morning, a cold front drops in from the Dakotas. This may kick off a few sprinkles or light showers overnight. The better chance for showers or storms will be Saturday afternoon/evening as the front continues its southward push toward the Kansas/Nebraska border. A dryline is expected to form over the Tri-State area (NE/KS/CO) during the day which will be the main focal point for any severe storms. The dryline should stay to our west, limiting the potential for severe weather in the area.

The cold front will result in some cooler air pushing into the region, affecting highs in the north. Afternoon temps in the 70s are expected for areas north of a line from Columbus to North Bend to Onawa. Areas where the front does not reach early in the day will rise into the 80s. Minimum RH values will be in the 20s ahead of the front but will lack winds strong enough to need a Red Flag Warning. Northeastern Nebraska will have the stronger winds but possibly some higher RH values in spots. Saturday evening, showers and storms will be possible mainly along and south of the cold front.

Expect a dry and pleasant day Sunday as sfc high pressure moves into the region. Cooler temperatures are expected with highs topping out in the 70s. Winds will generally be out of the north or northwest around 5-15mph.

As of Friday afternoon, an upper ridge is currently in place over eastern Washington and northern Idaho. An upper shortwave trough is currently over the PACNW and will move around the ridge over the weekend and into the start of next week. This will be something to keep an eye on as it eventually slides southeast into our area, possibly clipping western Iowa and extreme eastern Nebraska with a few showers/storms Monday night/Tuesday morning.

Northwest flow persists over the region Monday/Tuesday with WAA in the region. Expect a return to the 80s Monday through Wednesday for highs and lows in the 50s.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1224 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

VFR conditions persist at the terminals through the forecast period. Satellite shows some fair weather cumulus developing over northern Nebraska with thicker cloud cover in southern Nebraska. Expect an increase in winds as they shift to the northwest at KOFK. A few light showers or sprinkles have developed across southern Nebraska/northern Kansas. These should stay mainly south of KLNK. With as dry as the air is, any precipitation will struggle to reach the ground.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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