Until 1Omaha, NE — A tornado watch has been issued for large portions of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa through 12 a.m. CDT Friday, with severe weather threats including damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch was issued at 4:45 p.m. Thursday and includes cities such as Omaha, Lincoln, York, and Columbus in Nebraska, as well as Council Bluffs, Shenandoah, and Carroll in Iowa. The watch covers over 1.6 million residents and impacts 732 schools and 68 hospitals across the region.
Storms are expected to intensify along a boundary stretching across the region, with supercells developing during the evening hours. Forecasts indicate the possibility of wind gusts reaching 70 mph and hail up to 3 inches in diameter. A couple of tornadoes are also possible as conditions remain favorable into the late evening.
Residents in the watch area are urged to remain weather-aware, monitor local alerts, and have shelter plans ready. Mobile alerts, NOAA weather radios, and local media are all recommended sources for real-time warnings.
Preparedness actions include securing outdoor items, charging devices, and avoiding travel during active warnings. The watch remains in effect until 12 a.m. CDT Friday, April 18.2 AM Friday
