Excessive, dangerous heat and humidity Friday through the weekend

Rarely has Lincoln and Omaha seen three consecutive days of 100°+ at this point in the year. That potential is there for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in both locations.

The last time this happened in June for Lincoln was 1988, but the last time it happened for Omaha was 1952.

EXTREME, DANGEROUS HEAT FRIDAY – SUNDAY (JUNE 20-22)

Extreme heat, high humidity and strong winds are going to make for a dangerous combination to those trying to exert themselves and be outside for prolonged periods of time each afternoon going forward (Friday through Sunday).

An Excessive Heat Warning (pink) is in place for eastern Nebraska through Sunday evening, when the peak heat index could be up to 110° during the hottest parts of each afternoon.

A Heat Advisory (orange) is in place for parts of western and central Nebraska through Saturday night for heat index values up around 100-107° at their worst each afternoon.

The difference between a Heat Advisory and an Excessive Heat Warning is explained below:

This is our first significant heat wave of the year, and we’re really going to feel it with daytime air temperatures climbing to the triple digits in Lincoln.

Southerly winds will by quite gusty as well (up around 40-45 mph) not only Friday, but for Saturday and Sunday as well.

High humidity will make this heat oppressive during the peak heating hours of the day.

Highs in Lincoln will be in the lower 100s starting Friday.

Here’s a look at each location’s forecasted peak heat index for Friday afternoon in southeast Nebraska:

Blazing heat is going to be felt throughout all of Nebraska starting Friday, looking at these heat indices for the second part of the day.

And we’ll experience a heat index in the ballpark of 105-110° in Lincoln throughout the weekend, too.

The strain from this heat will be felt by Saturday and Sunday especially, with not much relief because of very warm nighttime temperatures.

Much of southeast Nebraska is in the purple “Extreme” category of the NWS HeatRisk map:

Ways to beat the heat and remain safe through the weekend include:

• Reducing time in the sun (especially during the afternoon)
• Stay hydrated
• Move activities to cooler hours of the day
• If you don’t have access to A/C, use fans to keep the air moving and open your windows overnight
• Check in on elderly, loved ones and pets

And knowing the signs of heat-related illness can be important during a weekend like this (above).

STORM CHANCES THROUGH THE WEEKEND

There’s still uncertainty in storm potential through the weekend, but areas of Nebraska are highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center for a risk of severe weather Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A Marginal (Level 1 of 5) risk covers north-central Nebraska for a threat of hail/wind with maybe a storm or two that develops Saturday evening into Saturday night.

A similar area will be within a Slight (Level 2 of 5) risk by Sunday, with a chance these storms move east into eastern Nebraska Saturday afternoon into Sunday night.

Beyond Sunday, there will be multiple rounds of thunderstorms possible next week. That will bring relief from this extreme heat, but also at times threaten a risk for severe weather and flooding. We’ll continue to post more details throughout the weekend as we get closer.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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