Afternoon excessive heat, then evening strong storms likely for eastern Nebraska

Not only will we be facing another day of heat on Wednesday, but today will be one of the better chances as of late to see some widespread, stronger storms across eastern Nebraska by the afternoon and evening.

Details in the forecast today are about the excessive heat then the severe potential.

Excessive heat builds in across southeast Nebraska

Saucy first steps outside the door this morning, there’s a certain mugginess already in the air. Ahead of a coming cold front, air will compress and really warm up. Should be another day that high temperatures near 100° in Lincoln.

The dangerous combo that we’re well aware of is the humidity that has come with the heat. Today could very well be the worst of this heat wave, as Excessive Heat Warnings are in place across southeast Nebraska until Wednesday evening.

Peak heat index values will range from about 110-115° for those included in that warning, with Lincoln being one of those locations.

Elsewhere toward Columbus and Aurora, a Heat Advisory will be in place for the afternoon and evening hours as the heat index for some maxes out around 105-106°.

Severe potential for eastern Nebraska starting mid-afternoon into Wednesday night

With the heat and moisture out ahead of a coming cold front, that front is expected to trigger some stronger storms across eastern Nebraska. Ann Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) risk now highlights all of eastern Nebraska, including southeast Nebraska and Lincoln.

With this front expected to bring more widespread forcing for storms, more of eastern Nebraska has a better chance at rain and some hefty wind gusts. The latest risk indicated winds exceeding 75 mph will be possible across eastern Nebraska with the black hash marks below.

An isolated tornado or two will also be possible east of a line from O’Neill to Grand Island.

In the earlier evolution of these storms (mid-afternoon) some large hail is possible. Black hash marks below indicate the area where hail up to 2″ in diameter could happen.

The timing of these storms will be dependent on the timing of the cold front, but storms look to start up in central Nebraska before moving east through the evening. Lincoln’s timing to see some of these stronger storms will be in a 7-9 p.m. window based on one of the latest versions of Stormcast.

Some storms could linger across southeast Nebraska into early Thursday morning.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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