textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Widely scattered thunderstorms, some severe, are expected Friday morning into afternoon. Large hail and damaging winds are the main hazards with the strongest thunderstorms.

- Another round of showers and thunderstorms develops late Friday night into early Saturday morning. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms may be possible.

- High temperatures fluctuate between the upper 70s and 80s with periodic thunderstorm chances through the remainder of the forecast period. Severe weather may continue to be possible with thunderstorms.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1026 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

A few strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a surface front just outside of our forecast area this evening. These storms have since dissipated, but the front gradually slides south through the overnight hours. Looking at the broad picture, we maintain strong northwesterly winds aloft. Shortwave disturbances will continue to round the western CONUS ridge and provide support for nearly daily thunderstorm chances across the region. Looking at water vapor imagery, several of these aforementioned disturbances can be seen upstream of our area.

By Friday morning, one of these disturbances will be approaching the area as the front sinks into east-central Nebraska. This should help initiate thunderstorms along the front. These thunderstorms may be relatively weak and disorganized at first, but a rapidly destabilizing environment will gradually help thunderstorms organize and strengthen through late morning into the afternoon. Thunderstorm coverage should gradually spread southeast with time. The strongest of these thunderstorms could be severe. The main hazards with any severe thunderstorms will be large hail and damaging winds. This round of thunderstorms should move south of the region by late afternoon and early evening. Outside of rain chances, another afternoon with temperatures in the 80s is anticipated.

By Friday night into Saturday morning, another round of showers and thunderstorms may develop over the area. There is uncertainty regarding this potential due to earlier thunderstorms, but at least a low chance of additional showers and thunderstorms is forecast over the area during this time. The severe weather threat should be lower with these thunderstorms, but not zero. Large hail and damaging winds would be possible with any severe thunderstorms that develop.

Saturday may be the best day of the forecast as our area will fall between two disturbances. The end result is cooler temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s under partly cloudy skies with no thunderstorms expected. Enjoy this weather while it lasts as the remainder of the forecast continues to look active.

Sunday through next week, a continuation of our broad weather pattern is expected. Starting on Sunday, our next disturbance moves over the area bringing renewed thunderstorms chances to the region. While we don't have the exact details, a favorable environment for at least a low-end severe weather threat is likely. Monday may be another quiet weather day between systems before another round of thunderstorms arrives heading towards the middle of the work week. Outside of periodic thunderstorm chances throughout the forecast, temperatures fluctuate between the upper 70s and 80s depending upon cloud cover and rainfall.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1158 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

VFR conditions prevail through the overnight hours. Some mid- level clouds move in from the northwest around sunrise. There is a low (10-20%) chance of a few isolated showers and thunderstorms moving into eastern Nebraska as well between 12Z and 16Z; however, confidence in coverage and timing is low at this time. Heading into the afternoon, KLNK/KOMA may get clipped with an isolated shower/storm, but again, coverage of storm activity is expected to be spotty. Low confidence in whether any storms are able to get going and directly impact one of the terminals.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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