Extreme fire danger Thursday for most of Nebraska

Thursday has had more mild temperatures so far in the morning since we’ve kept stronger winds through the overnight hours.

Winds will only increase today, though. In Lincoln, gusts out of the south will be approaching 45 mph by the late afternoon and early evening.

Statewide, we’re facing a big pressure change driving stronger winds through eastern Nebraska. A stronger low-pressure system sits just northwest while a strong region of high pressure is just to the southeast. Most of eastern Nebraska can expect gusts closing in on 40-45 mph for a majority of the afternoon and evening.

Strong winds, low humidity and some warmer temperatures are going to contribute to extreme fire behavior with a Red Flag Warning in place through tonight.

Temperatures will warm efficiently today, too – jumping ten degrees from the 60s of yesterday. Moisture will start to slowly return by Friday, first in the form of some cloud cover. Some of those clouds may try to spit out a few sprinkles, but most will be dry.

Rain chances are better across southwest and western Nebraska Friday evening into Saturday.

Saturday morning some scattered showers try to move east but will struggle to bring anything too meaningful to the area.

We’ll be watching for more widespread rain with possible thunderstorms by Monday.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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