6 FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS: Rounds of storms with severe potential Monday & Tuesday
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - First Alert Weather Days remain in place for tonight and Tuesday as thunderstorm chances return to the forecast tonight and Tuesday afternoon. Storms will bring the potential for some severe weather, as well as flash flooding.
UPDATE 11:15 p.m. -- A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for the entire Omaha metro area, including Council Bluffs, through 4:15am Tuesday. Very heavy rainfall with the potential for 1-3″ of rain is occurring as of 11:15pm. This may lead to quick rises of smaller creeks and streams, with flooding of low lying areas possible. Streets and intersections have flooded earlier this year in heavy rain will likely see at least minor flooding issues overnight. Delay travel until the rain has subsided. If you see water over the road turn around and find a different route. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Previous:
Conditions have quieted down Monday afternoon after a morning round of rain and thunderstorms. The rain this morning brought around a half-inch of moisture to most of the metro, though some areas did see over an inch of rain like Wahoo, Fremont, and Lincoln. The rain left behind cloud skies that have kept temperatures on the cooler side so far, with highs only reaching the low and mid-70s around the metro. However, humidity levels have been slowly increasing throughout the day, helping to add a little more fuel to the atmosphere for another round of storms later tonight.
Those storms will develop initially over central and southwest Nebraska this afternoon and this evening, and then push into eastern and northeastern Nebraska after 8pm. The storms will likely still be to the northwest of the metro at 8pm, but may push toward the Omaha area by 10pm to Midnight.
Large hail, highs winds, and even a low tornado risk will be possible with storms as they develop over central and southwest Nebraska. However, that risk decreases some as storms move into eastern Nebraska. A few stronger storms with high winds are possible, but the biggest risk for our area will be heavy rainfall.
A Flood Watch has been issued for much of eastern and northeast Nebraska into western and northwest Iowa, including the Omaha metro. This watch indicates the potential for flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas, as well as some creeks and streams briefly rising out of their banks. This flood watch is not due to the Missouri River, and this incoming rain is not expected to make a large impact on the current flood levels of the river.
Rain showers and even a few storms will linger overnight but should weaken as they hang around. Rain chances will continue into Tuesday morning setting the stage for another 6 First Alert Weather Day.
Any lingering showers or storms Tuesday morning will be on the weaker side, leaving behind a layer of clouds that may keep us a little cooler through late morning. By afternoon, clouds should thin some with temperatures trying to warm into the low 80s. A cold front will then enter the area after Noon, with storms likely developing along that front by 3pm. The storms may develop right along, or just south of the I-80 corridor, which could impact parts of the Omaha metro. The storms are expected to be scattered in nature, but could quickly become strong to severe with large hail and high winds the main risks. As with any severe storms, a tornado can’t be ruled out, but isn’t likely to be the main risk. The storms will likely strengthen as they move into northwest Missouri and central Iowa, but will likely be out of our area by around 7pm.
The storms should be out of the area by Tuesday evening, with much quieter weather moving in for Tuesday night and Wednesday. We should get a nice break from the active weather on Wednesday with highs in the 80s and partly cloudy skies. Storm chances return to the area late Wednesday night into Thursday. This could have an impact on Independence Day celebrations, but at the moment it looks like the best rain chances would be in the morning and afternoon, with drier weather for fireworks in the evening. Certainly stay tuned as the timing on that could shift some in the days ahead.
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