textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible, primarily across southeastern Nebraska overnight into Wednesday morning. Heavy rain and gusty winds may be possible with any storms that do develop.

- A series of systems move through the region Wednesday night through Friday, bringing the potential for measurable rainfall. A few strong to severe storms may be possible Thursday evening/night.

- Cooler temperatures are expected for the latter part of the week with highs in the 80s.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1140 PM CDT Tue Jul 28 2026

The forecast period begins with the upper ridge over the western Dakotas and Nebraska Panhandle and northwest flow over the Great Plains. A weak shortwave is moving around the ridge and will arrive over the area later tonight/early Wednesday morning. The best chance (20-30%) for showers/storms will be across southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. At this time, severe weather is not expected. However, several models are showing precipitable water values of 1.75"+ over southeastern Nebraska through tomorrow morning. Any storms that are able to develop may produce heavy rain which could lead to some localized flash flooding.

Wednesday, the ridge shifts slightly east, over the central Dakotas as a trough comes ashore over the PACNW. This will be a system to watch as it works its way across the CONUS, as it is expected to be our next storm system. A few lingering showers/storms may be possible in southeastern Nebraska early Wednesday morning, clearing out by mid-morning. Temperatures will climb into the upper 80s to low 90s in the afternoon. Areas, particularly north of Hwy 92 may see some hazy skies through the day as wildfire smoke filters into the region from the northwest.

Wednesday night into Thursday, a series of disturbances move across the region bringing chances for showers and storms. Any morning convection may impact the severe weather potential expected later in the day. The main wave is expected to move into the region Thursday evening/night with warm, gulf moisture moving into the region. A few storms may become strong to severe with gusty winds, hail, and locally heavy rainfall being the main concerns. Precipitable water values continue to look pretty high for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Flash flooding may be a concern as well Thursday evening/night.

The upper wave will slide east, over central and western Iowa and Minnesota Friday. Expect additional showers and thunderstorms Friday morning, gradually ending west to east by early afternoon. Enjoy some cooler temperatures with Friday highs topping out in the low to mid-80s and Saturday morning lows in the low to mid-60s.

The cooler weather sticks around through the weekend with a drier pattern arriving. Saturday, an upper trough arrives over British Columbia and the Aleutian Islands. Meanwhile, an upper ridge nudges east over the Dakotas, with northerly flow setting up over the Great Plains. Through the weekend, a few models are showing low pressure developing and pushing into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the ridge being pushed over Minnesota and high pressure setting up over the Four Corners. Expect a pleasant weekend with highs in the low to mid-80s and lows in the 60s.

Dry weather and gradual warming is expected heading into the start of next week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1206 AM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

High confidence in VFR conditions prevailing for the duration of this TAF cycle. Winds at 12 kts or less from the east southeast will become southeasterly by the late morning. There is a low 20 to 30% chance for some showers and storms after 09z that could affect KLNK, but chances remain too low for inclusion in TAF at this time. Expect some cumulus clouds based around 4,000 to 9,000 feet by the afternoon along with high based clouds. Some may develop into scattered showers or storms after 21z and affect KOMA and KLNK (20% chance), but model guidance shows wide variability with placement of features so have kept mentions out for this issuance.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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