textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Warmer temperatures return this week. Outside of a few showers Tuesday evening, dry conditions will continue, with our next chance of rain not until Saturday and Sunday (30-50%).

- Strong winds gusting 30-40 mph also arrive Friday, increasing fire danger for areas with standing crops.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1218 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

Today through Tuesday...

A weak shortwave moving out of southeastern CO will bring increasing cloud cover and a few light radar returns to parts of southeast Nebraska today. However, any rain associated with these is expected to remain aloft, as persistent dry low level air will likely evaporate the majority of precip. before it reaches the surface.

Another weak shortwave will ripple through the central Plains Tuesday. While the vast majority of precipitation is expected to remain to our south, over Kansas, a few sprinkles or light showers could survive the sub-cloud dry layer and reach the surface during the evening and overnight hours.

Southerly low level flow will continue to advect warmer air into the region this afternoon through Tuesday. Expect high temperatures to climb into the upper 60s and low 70s today, with widespread low to mid 70s on Tuesday.

Wednesday and Thursday...

Upper level ridging shifts eastward over the central CONUS Wednesday and Thursday, keeping highs about 10 degrees above normal, in the mid 70s. Dry weather will prevail through the rest of the work week.

Friday and Beyond...

A strong trough will push through the intermountain west on Friday, tightening the pressure gradient, and causing southwesterly winds to surge across the central plains. Gusts up to 30-40+ mph can be expected Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, before a cold front brings winds around to the northwest. Temperatures on Friday will remain in the mid 70s, but begin to fall behind the front on Saturday. Expect highs to range from the mid 60s in northeast Nebraska to the low 70s in far southeast Nebraska/southwest Iowa, Saturday.

Showers will move in behind the front, although models have been slowing down their arrival slightly over the last few runs. Expect rain chances to increase Saturday and diminish Sunday afternoon (30- 50%). Temperatures remain closer to normal as we head into next week, with highs forecast to top out in the mid 60s Sunday and Monday.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 528 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

VFR conditions continue and will prevail through the TAF period. Scattered high clouds, around FL200, move east of the region this evening. Clear skies and light south to southeast winds can be expected at all terminals through early Tuesday morning. Wind speeds increase slightly by late Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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