Severe storms threatening large hail, isolated tornadoes possible Thursday evening across eastern Nebraska

Today will be an important day to stay weather aware with an upgrade to the severe risk for Thursday evening.

An Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) risk has been added by the Storm Prediction Center because of increasing confidence in a large hail threat and isolated tornadoes being possible.

Columbus to Omaha and surrounding areas are included. Lincoln sits on the edge of this risk.

This is an update from our morning show. The risk has shifted slightly north with a narrowed focus around I-80 and to the north in the latest 8 a.m. update from the Storm Prediction Center.

The risk for severe weather covers Ogallala in western Nebraska, then fans out east and increases over eastern Nebraska. Here’s what the colors mean for your area:

A couple of isolated tornadoes will be possible in a short window this evening if the moisture creeps up and some low-level ingredients come together.

This threat as increased a bit, with a 5% chance now within 25 miles of a point in the brown shaded area below.

Lone cells (supercells) that get going this evening will be important to watch for that tornado threat as well as the threat of some very large hail (2-3″ in diameter possible).

Because the confidence in large hail has increased as well – the area with black hash marks and in red means there is a higher chance to see hail 2″ in diameter or larger within 25 miles of a point.

This is a day to plan on moving any hail-sensitive property into a sheltered location.

Damaging wind gusts could also be on the order of 60-70 mph tonight.

With the morning round staying south in Kansas, the environment in eastern Nebraska will be supportive for all severe weather hazards for the evening setup. Storms could develop as early as 3 p.m. this afternoon, with a window for severe weather from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. this evening. Here’s the latest version of Stormcast to take you hour-by-hour.

Smoke will also linger into early Friday. There is an air quality alert in effect until 7 a.m. Friday morning with the air quality ranging from “Moderate” to “Unhealthy” at times. You can check your cities air quality here.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the day today, including keeping an eye out for any severe weather watches that may get issued Thursday afternoon/early evening. Once warnings are issued, seek shelter.

For up to the minute radar, go HERE. 

For the latest warnings, go HERE. 

For a live look at our Nebraska Weather Cams, go HERE. 

And we would love to see video of any storm footage you may get (safely!). You can upload that using our Now Local News App HERE. 

Stay with the Storm Alert Team as we work to bring you updates and the latest information throughout the day.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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