Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

330
FXUS63 KOAX 291728
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1228 PM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

.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 /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1225 PM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

While there are some BKN MVFR cigs hanging around OMA at 18Z,
believe that it will scatter and lift to VFR by 18Z or very
shortly thereafter. Then expect VFR for the remainder of the TAF
period. There is some potential for SHRA or TSRA at all sites
mainly in the 10-14Z window, but it will be scattered precip so
have not included at this time.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...ANW
AVIATION...Barjenbruch

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

210
FXUS63 KGID 291743
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1243 PM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms will continue through mid-morning -
  focusing mostly along and south of I-80. Main threat is
  locally heavy rain amounts up to 2-3". Expect a period of
  drier conditions late morning through midday, but more
  isolated storms will be possible by late afternoon.

- Additional upper level disturbances moving through the area
  over the next couple of days, which will keep shower/storm
  chances in the forecast...mainly focused on the eve/night
  hours. Some storms Thu-Thu night could be strong to severe.

- A drier/quieter weather pattern should settle in late this
  week and continue through the weekend. Highs will be slightly
  cooler in the 80s to around 90F, with a slight warming trend
  possible early next week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 415 AM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

A NW to SE band of thunderstorms has developed early this
morning, driven primarily by a weak mid level disturbance and
warm air advection amidst a very moist atmospheric profile. In
fact, SPC MesoA shows PWAT values around 2" over the region as
of 09Z...which is roughly 2.5-3 standard deviations above
climatology for late July. Obviously, this brings with it a
heavy rain and localized flash flooding concern, especially
considering very weak Corfidi vectors co-located with equally as
week 850-300mb mean flow. Most of the area has been on the drier
side as of late...and late July into August is peak uptake of
soil moisture by area crops...so most areas can take a couple
inches without any issues. The concern is most rate-driven
(especially for urban areas/storm drains) as well as for repeated
development/movement over the same areas which could quickly
support isolated rain amounts of 3-4". Models have really been
struggling with this activity in terms of coverage and
location...but now that it`s developed, confidence is increasing
that most of this will remain along and S of I-80...and probably
along/N of Hwy 36 in extreme N KS. There`s virtually no severe
weather threat - just a locally heavy rain threat - through
around 9-10AM, or so. The rest of the AM and into early
afternoon should be mainly dry with gradually decreasing clouds.

Just how much clearing we see will probably go a long way in
determining the isolated late afternoon "pop-up" potential...
similar to what we saw yesterday afternoon. Must areas should
remain dry...but same story for those who happen to find
themselves under one of these...expect heavy downpours.

As mentioned below...the potential for more rain/storms, and
the location and coverage of such activity, tonight, remains
more uncertain. In general, latest CAMs are less impressed with
tonight`s potential compared to past couple. Doubt we`ll stay
completely dry...but will probably be less organized/coverage.

Lastly just want to re-iterate that a stronger-forced rain/storm
chance looks on track to arrive Thursday evening/night.
Obviously still some details to work out, but some guidance
suggests a broken to solid line of storms that moves NW to SE
across the area, with likely at least some strong wind risk. As
such, SPC has upgraded a small portion of the region to a Slight
Risk (level 2 of 5) for mainly damaging wind threat. South
central Nebraska counties look to be more at risk than northern
Kansas...but hopeful most areas could see some rain.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 330 PM CDT Tue Jul 28 2026

Wednesday and Thursday...

The main story through the mid-week period continues to lie with
a couple more upper level shortwave disturbances passing
through...overall there hasn`t been any notable changes in the
models/forecast.

Think that Wednesday will be similar to today...in that there
could be some activity left over from tonight lingering around
mainly southern/eastern portions of the area during the early-
mid morning hours...with the majority of the daytime hours being
dry. Not a lot of change in the upper level pattern, with the
persistent ridging keeping that west-northwesterly flow in
place. At the surface, models are showing winds turning more
southeasterly...with speeds around 10-15 MPH, some show the
potential for gusts near 20 MPH in spots. Forecast highs also
similar to today in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Little more uncertainty remains Wednesday night on through
Thursday night with the timing/coverage of precipitation
associated with additional disturbances moving through. Models
vary more on Wed night into Thursday, some more generous with
activity, others showing a smaller swath developing with weaker
forcing. Models remain pretty consistent showing a stronger wave
moving through Thu evening-night...bringing better potential
for storms, some of which could be strong-severe (the entire
area remains in the SPC Day 3 Marginal Risk area). Forecast
highs a bit more of a range from the mid 80s-mid 90s...driven by
some models keeping activity lingering around longer into the
day than others.

Friday on into early next week...

Forecast for the end of the week into the start of the new work
week dries back out. The main impact from the disturbance
moving through Thursday night is with the westward shift of the
main upper level ridge axis, bringing more amplified north-
northwesterly flow to the Central Plains at least through the
weekend. Models showing an overall lack of disturbances through
the weekend, with some low PoPs returning around Tuesday. Breezy
NNE winds are forecast for Friday in the wake of a sfc frontal
passage...but at this point that front doesn`t look to have a
notable downward impact on temps or dewpoints, with highs in the
mid-80s to near 90. Forecast highs through the weekend on into
Monday are similar to Friday, mainly in the 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1225 PM CDT Wed Jul 29 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected to last through 6z tonight with a
few low ceilings and possibly slight reductions in visibilities
possible from scattered overnight to Thursday morning storms
(20-30% chances; fairly scattered storm coverage). Outside of a
passing storm or two, lower ceilings just north of the forecast
area between 12-15z (IFR to low-end MVFR classifications) will
be possible to near the fringes of the area. Confidence is not
high enough to prevail with the storms or sub-VFR ceilings at
this time. Winds will maintain a southeasterly direction through
the period with gusts blowing no higher than 15-20kts though
the rest of the day and night (gusts 20-25kts possible starting
late Thursday morning.




&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
KS...None.

&&

$$

UPDATE...Thies
DISCUSSION...ADP
AVIATION...Stump

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion