textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Calm and quiet conditions today, with afternoon highs in the low to middle 80s.

- Scattered thunderstorm chances return Friday morning and again Friday evening across northeast Nebraska.

- Temperatures warm this weekend, with highs in the middle to upper 90s and heat index values approaching 100. Periodic storm chances and above-average temperatures continue into next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1223 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2026

Today and Tonight..

Water vapor imagery and objective analysis this afternoon depict mid- level ridging centered over the Desert Southwest with subsequent troughing in place over the northeastern CONUS. Nestled between the two, we reside under northwesterly flow aloft. At the surface, high pressure will slide across the area today, with calm winds beginning out of the north before veering to southerly return flow by this evening. Overall, we are in for a pleasant late-August day with temperatures peaking in the low to mid 80s. Today looks to be the nicest day of the forecast, so take advantage of the pleasant weather and spend some time outdoors if you can!

Mid-level cloud cover will increase overnight, though the greater chances should hold off until after the partial lunar eclipse. The increasing cloud should limit radiational cooling enough to avoid another morning of fog, though patchy fog may sneak into southwest Iowa where cloud cover holds off until later in the morning.

Friday...

Two rounds of thunderstorms will be possible on Friday, with the first working in during the mid- to late-morning hours as a 30 kt LLJ noses into a weak are of surface convergence in eastern Nebraska. A corridor of 1500-2000 J/kg of MUCAPE will bring the potential for some rumbles of thunder and brief, heavy rain showers, though the limited bulk shear should cap overall storm intensity. Shower coverage will decrease into the afternoon, with pockets of sunshine helping to push afternoon high temperatures into the mid to upper 80s.

Through the day, lee troughing will emerge across western SD/NE, bringing increasing southerly flow and low-level moisture advection into central and eastern Nebraska. In turn, a modestly unstable, yet capped, airmass will develop from north-central NE and northeast Nebraska into south-central SD. Convective development and timing remain a little more uncertain with this round, given the lack of large scale forcing for ascent. Recent CAM guidance holds off development until the late evening and early overnight period as the LLJ noses into northeast Nebraska. If storms are able to develop, a strong storm or two can't be ruled out, primarily across far northeast Nebraska, where isolated pockets of damaging wind gusts (up to 60 mph) and small hail will be possible. A few decaying showers and storms may lingering into Saturday morning.

Saturday and Beyond...

Warming temperatures will be the main story this weekend as the aforementioned mid-level ridge pulls eastward into the central and southern Plains and lee troughing strengthens over the northern Plains. This will push high temperatures into the low 90s on Saturday and mid to upper 90s on Sunday. Continued low- level moisture advection will bring dewpoints into the mid to upper 60s, pushing heat index values to the upper 90s Saturday and around 100 on Sunday. In addition, breezy south- southwesterly winds gusts will work in particularly on Saturday where gusts may reach 25-35 mph.

Periodic chances for showers and storms exist this weekend as weak shortwave impulses pinch between the northern periphery of the ridge and around the base of the trough/mid-level low sliding east across ND/Saskatchewan and Manitoba. PoPs currently peak at 15% Saturday evening, though the better forcing for ascent will reside to our north.

Monday, the mid-level low sliding by to our north will help push a cold front through the area. The front will help bring high temperatures into the upper 80s to low 90s, providing some relief from the weekend heat but still remaining above-average. Temperatures will reside in this range through the remainder of the work week, with the return of periodic shower and thunderstorm chances.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 550 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2026

VFR conditions prevail this evening across the area. Light winds continue with surface high pressure in place. A few high cirrus clouds may move overhead due to thunderstorms well to the west of the area. Southerly winds return overnight, though they remain light. There is a low (20%) chance of showers and thunderstorms late tonight into early Thursday morning. The latest forecast guidance shows a decreasing chance of development, therefor aviation impacts appear unlikely. Trends will continue to be monitored if this changes. If aviation impacts were to occur, lightning and brief visibility reductions would be possible. Southerly winds begin to increase in speed by Thursday afternoon, becoming gusty with western extent.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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