Omaha, Neb. – Eastern Nebraska could see strong to severe thunderstorms Friday as a cold front pushes across the state, bringing damaging wind gusts and hail along with the threat of heavy rain.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley, storms are most likely to develop Friday afternoon and continue into the night. The strongest cells could produce wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph and hail up to an inch in diameter. While the overall tornado risk remains low, forecasters warn that localized flooding may occur in areas of heavier rainfall.
Communities from Norfolk to Lincoln and into Omaha should prepare for sudden weather changes late in the day. Outdoor events Friday evening, including high school football games and community festivals, could be impacted by lightning and gusty winds. Emergency managers recommend keeping mobile devices charged and having multiple ways to receive weather alerts in case warnings are issued after dark.
The cold front will bring noticeably cooler air to Nebraska for the weekend, ending the severe storm threat by Saturday morning. Additional advisories may be posted if storm development trends stronger than expected.
