Omaha, Neb. – Strong thunderstorms are expected to develop across South Dakota tonight and push into extreme northeast Nebraska between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday, bringing a risk of damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and the potential for a short-lived tornado or two. The most significant activity will stay near the Nebraska–South Dakota border, but isolated severe cells could dip farther south.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley, the highest risk zone includes parts of Dixon, Dakota, and Knox counties, with a 5% to 29% chance of severe storms during the overnight hours. Winds could gust 60–70 mph in the strongest storms, while hail up to the size of pennies is also possible.
Residents in the path should secure outdoor items, stay weather-aware through the night, and have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially while sleeping. Most of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa will remain dry, but localized downpours could cause brief ponding on roads in impacted areas.
Storm chances diminish after sunrise Thursday, with calmer, cooler air moving in for the remainder of the day.
