textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- A 30-45% chance of precipitation is forecast for this afternoon into the evening for much of the forecast area. A rain snow mix is expected along a line from near Bloomfield to Bancroft to Harlan, IA. Snow is expected northeast of this line, with little to no accumulations.

- Highs warm to the 50s to low 60s Thursday with breezy conditions. The breezy winds will lead to very high fire danger in northeast Nebraska.

- Warm and dry Friday with highs in the mid 60s for most locations. A 50 to 60% chance for precipitation is forecast Sunday areawide.

LONG TERM

/FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

As we head toward Friday, forecast highs reach the mid 60s for most locations with dry conditions. Some spots near the Nebraska/Kansas border area could reach the upper 60s. Once again, areas of very high fire danger are forecast for northeast Nebraska and also along the Nebraska/Kansas border area.

For the weekend, west/northwest flow dominates and allows a few disturbances to track toward the area. The first disturbance on Saturday appears to stay north of the area keeping us dry, while Sunday a more potent shortwave traverses the area. Latest NBM PoPs suggest a broad area of 50 to 60% areawide chances for snow. Accumulations per 12z global ensemble members for 3 inches or more of snow range from 30 to 40% per GEFS along and north of the I-80 corridor, while both the Canadian and Euro ensembles are more tamed in their output with 10 to 20% chances for 3 inches or more of snow. Regardless, will want to keep an eye on this disturbance given a 20 to 30% chance for minor travel impacts is expected. Temperatures cool Saturday to the 40s for most areas, while upper 20s to low 30s are forecast for Sunday.

A brief break in PoPs is expected late Sunday but is short lived as more H5 disturbances track east within a more zonal flow Monday and Tuesday. Highs Monday reach the mid to upper 30s while Tuesday sees a brief warm up in the mid 40s to low 50s.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1151 AM CST Wed Feb 25 2026

VFR conditions are observed at the start of this TAF period. Radar imagery shows a few light returns approaching KOFK as well as KOMA this afternoon. However, low level dry air is resulting in little to no precipitation reaching the ground as cloud bases range from SCT to BKN at 5 to 11kft. A system will approach from the northwest later this afternoon resulting in rain showers overspreading the area, while light snow is expected along and northeast of a line from KLCG to KHNR. Have introduced TEMPO groups at KOMA and KLNK where confidence for occurrence of -SHRA is greatest, but have kept ceilings VFR. Precipitation exits the area after 02z with VFR prevailing.

There is a low 20 to 30% chance for fog/low visibility and ceiling restrictions at KOMA and KLNK from 08z to 15z, but considerable uncertainty exists amongst model guidance so left mentions out for now. Winds remain under 12 kts and turn east southeast this afternoon before swinging west southwest Thursday morning and becoming breezy.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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