Weather
Nebraska-Iowa Weather Alert: Thunderstorms Return Oct 27-28
Omaha, NE – Thunderstorm chances are returning to the Omaha metropolitan area this week, with several opportunities for rain developing between Tuesday night and Halloween. After a relatively mild sta
By Sophie Caldwell · 2026-10-25T09:58:26.523Z
Omaha, NE – Thunderstorm chances are returning to the Omaha metropolitan area this week, with several opportunities for rain developing between Tuesday night and Halloween. After a relatively mild start to the week, showers and thunderstorms could affect portions of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, including the Omaha Council Bluffs area. The first measurable precipitation chance arrives Tuesday night, followed by additional storm opportunities Wednesday night and later in the week. By Saturday, showers are expected to become more widespread, potentially affecting Halloween activities.
According to the National Weather Service Omaha/Valley forecast for the Carter Lake, Iowa, area, Tuesday night brings a 30% chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible after 10 p.m. Wednesday offers a temporary improvement before additional rain and thunderstorm chances return Wednesday night. The unsettled pattern continues through Friday, with showers becoming likely Saturday, Oct. 31.
Thunderstorm Chances Develop Tuesday Night The approaching change follows several days of mild temperatures across the Missouri River metropolitan area. Sunday and Monday are expected to reach approximately 75 degrees, with partly sunny to mostly cloudy conditions. Tuesday brings slightly cooler temperatures near 71 degrees as southwest winds increase during the afternoon, potentially gusting to 18 mph.
By Tuesday evening, cloud cover remains widespread as rain chances begin increasing. The National Weather Service indicates showers may develop before thunderstorms become possible after 10 p.m. South winds of 6 to 9 mph could gust to 17 mph, while temperatures remain relatively mild, falling to approximately 57 degrees.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, brings a break in the unsettled pattern, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures reaching 74 degrees. However, the improvement may be temporary. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night, when temperatures are expected to fall to around 56 degrees.
Rain Could Affect Omaha Area Travel The developing precipitation pattern could create periods of wet pavement along Interstate 80, Interstate 29 and Interstate 480, particularly during nighttime travel. Drivers crossing the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs should monitor changing conditions when thunderstorms are possible.
Although thunderstorms appear in the forecast, the supplied local outlook does not establish a specific severe thunderstorm threat, tornado risk or damaging wind forecast for Omaha. Rainfall totals also remain unspecified, making it too early to determine whether any particular location will experience significant accumulation.
Thursday brings mostly sunny skies before a slight chance of afternoon showers develops. Temperatures could reach 76 degrees, with southeast winds of 5 to 8 mph. Another opportunity for showers and thunderstorms arrives Thursday night, followed by additional precipitation chances Friday.
Halloween Weekend Brings Increasing Rain Chances Friday, Oct. 30, is expected to remain mostly cloudy, with a high near 77 degrees. South winds of 9 to 13 mph could gust to 22 mph, potentially making outdoor activities breezier than earlier in the week. Showers and thunderstorms remain possible during the day, followed by another chance of rain Friday night.
Saturday, Oct. 31, brings the most persistent precipitation wording in the supplied forecast, with showers considered likely. Temperatures are expected to reach approximately 70 degrees, while south winds around 10 mph could gust to 20 mph.
The National Weather Service has not provided a specific Saturday evening precipitation probability in the supplied outlook. Families planning Halloween celebrations should check updated hourly forecasts as the weekend approaches.
Will the possibility of rain change your Halloween plans in Omaha or Council Bluffs?
Five Day Weather Outlook Tuesday 10/27: Mostly cloudy skies are expected with a high near 71 degrees and southwest winds gusting to 18 mph. Tuesday night brings a 30% precipitation chance and possible thunderstorms after 10 p.m., with a low near 57 degrees.
Wednesday 10/28: Mostly sunny skies return with temperatures reaching approximately 74 degrees and south winds around 5 mph. Wednesday night brings another chance of showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures falling near 56 degrees.
Thursday 10/29: Mostly sunny conditions are expected before a slight chance of afternoon showers develops, with a high near 76 degrees. Thursday night brings another chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 60 degrees.
Friday 10/30: Mostly cloudy skies accompany a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures reaching 77 degrees. South winds could gust to 22 mph, while Friday night remains mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and a low near 59 degrees.
Saturday 10/31: Halloween is expected to bring mostly cloudy skies and showers likely, with temperatures reaching approximately 70 degrees. South winds around 10 mph could gust to 20 mph, while Saturday night's low remains unspecified.
Extended Weather Outlook The supplied National Weather Service point forecast extends through Saturday, Oct. 31, without verified six to 10 day temperature or precipitation probabilities for Omaha.
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center's national discussion valid Oct. 25 27 identifies a developing low pressure system moving northeastward from the Central High Plains toward the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. Rain is expected to spread across portions of the Plains as that system progresses.
However, the national discussion's excessive rainfall risk areas are concentrated farther west and south. Those regional hazards should not be interpreted as a confirmed flooding threat for Omaha or Council Bluffs.