FXUS63 KOAX 191724

AFDOAX



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE

1224 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Well-above normal temperatures continue through Saturday.

  Highs today reach the low 70s and 80s.



- Temperatures warm to the 80s for much of the area Friday and

  Saturday, and a few records could be broken.



- Areas of very high to potentially extreme fire danger are 

  forecast for portions of the area Friday and Saturday, driven 

  mainly by dry conditions.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 1101 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026



Thursday through Saturday



A weak disturbance rippled through the region Wednesday evening, 

bringing a few sprinkles to parts of eastern Nebraska. Otherwise, 

cloud cover kept temperatures from cooling off too quickly last 

night, with most of the forecast area still in the 60s at 10 PM. 



High pressure will continue to push into the Four Corners region 

Thursday, ushering warm dry air across the Central Plains. Highs 

will rise back into the 70s Thursday afternoon, with light winds. 



Temperatures will approach daily records set in the early 1900s, as 

afternoon highs reach into the upper 70s and low 80s Friday, and the 

upper 80s and low 90s Saturday. For reference, Norfolk and Lincoln 

have only reached 90 degrees five times during the month March since 

the their period of records began in 1813 and 1887, respectively. 

Omaha has only reached 90 twice in March since 1871. In addition to 

the extremely warm temperatures, the dry conditions will pull 

relative humidities down to 20-30 percent. While northwesterly winds 

will be fairly light Friday, only gusting to 12-20 mph, speeds will 

increase out of the south Saturday, gusting to 20-30 mph. Although 

these speeds are not nearly as strong as we've had recently, when 

combined with the dry conditions and warm temperatures, Fire Danger 

concerns will increase to Very High, if not Extreme, over most of 

the forecast area Friday and Saturday. 



Sunday and Beyond...



A shortwave and associated cold front will ripple through the region 

Saturday night and Sunday, pulling relatively cooler temperatures 

into the Missouri River valley, as well as some gusty north winds. 

Highs are forecast to top out in the 50s and low 60s Sunday with 

minimum relative humidities around 30 to 40 percent. While this 

combination may help improve fire weather concerns to some extent, 

northerly winds are expected to reach speeds of 25 to 35 mph, 

keeping parts of eastern Nebraska in the Very High category.



Precipitation chances continue to remain off to our north through 

early next week. While temperatures may take a brief dip behind 

Sunday's cold front, we should remain at or above normal through the 

remainder of the forecast period.



&&



.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...

Issued at 1218 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



VFR conditions are set to hold through the next 24 hours, with

mostly clear skies and winds that are somewhat variable to start

but end up westerly before shifting southwesterly overnight. By

10z tomorrow, directions begin shifting northwesterly into the

afternoon, all at less than 10 kts.



&&



.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

NE...None.

IA...None.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...KG

AVIATION...Petersen