Carter Lake, Iowa – Smoke-filled skies and breezy conditions will shape the start of August as haze from Arizona wildfires drifts into the Omaha metro by Friday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha, smoke will become noticeable after 4 p.m. Friday, especially along the Missouri River valley and the I-29 corridor near Carter Lake. Air quality could dip throughout the evening, and residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit time outdoors. Winds from the east at 5 to 10 mph may also create visibility issues by sunset.
Temperatures will top out near 78°F Friday under mostly sunny skies, but the calm won’t last. Saturday night brings a 20% chance of thunderstorms after 1 a.m., with spotty lightning and brief downpours possible into early Sunday morning.
Weekend travelers should plan for changing conditions along I-80 and I-29, especially overnight Saturday into Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected Friday, but slight thunderstorm risks loom for late Saturday and again Sunday night.
This marks a dry but hazy start to August — a pattern forecasters say could persist into early next week.
🔎 5-Day Forecast: Carter Lake & Omaha Metro
- Friday (Aug. 1): Mostly sunny, high 78°F. Areas of smoke after 4 p.m. Winds ESE 5–7 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 78°F. Winds SE up to 16 mph.
- Saturday Night: 20% chance of storms after 1 a.m. Low near 61°F.
- Sunday: Slight storm chance before 1 p.m., high near 78°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, warmer at 82°F.
- Tuesday: High near 89°F, slight storm chance late.
- Wednesday: 20% chance of showers. High near 90°F.
