Omaha, Nebraska – Thick smoke from western wildfires is clouding skies across eastern and central Nebraska, raising air quality concerns and prompting health alerts through 5 p.m. Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, PM 2.5 pollutant levels are expected to remain in the “Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range due to lingering wildfire smoke. An Air Quality Alert remains active across dozens of counties, from Knox and Dodge to Gage and Richardson.
Cities including Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, and Grand Island are under the advisory. Outdoor conditions may look calm, but sensitive groups—including children, older adults, and those with heart or lung conditions—should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
Smoke concentrations are especially elevated overnight into early morning. While visibility remains near 7 miles in Omaha as of Friday morning, residents are advised to keep windows closed and use indoor air filtration if possible.
Though no additional hazardous weather is expected short term, officials say changing wind patterns could continue to bring smoke into the region through early next week. Updates will be issued if conditions worsen or advisories are extended.
🌤 Five-Day Forecast for Omaha and Surrounding Areas
- Friday: High 79°F. Areas of smoke. East wind 3–8 mph.
- Saturday: High 80°F. Areas of smoke. Partly cloudy late. Winds SE 5–10 mph.
- Sunday: High 78°F. Chance of storms after 1 PM. 30% chance of rain.
- Monday: High 81°F. Slight chance of showers (20%). Mostly sunny.
- Tuesday: High 86°F. Sunny and warmer. Light winds.
