Omaha Weather Alert: Dangerous Storms and Scorching Heat—Your Hour-by-Hour Forecast Today

Omaha residents are bracing for a volatile mix of heat and storms as summer ramps up across eastern Nebraska. The National Weather Service in Valley warns that scattered thunderstorms could ignite late this afternoon and evening, especially north of I-80, bringing wind gusts up to 70 mph, pockets of one-inch hail, and torrential downpours that may trigger brief street flooding. Forecasters place the most significant risk window between 7 p.m. and midnight, when an approaching cold front clashes with humid air pooling over the metro. Even outside storm cores, lightning will be frequent; outdoor events and College World Series watch parties should have shelter plans ready. Before storms fire, sunshine and southerly breezes will push Omaha’s high to 91 °F, but dew points near 75 °F will make it feel like 100 °F on exposed pavement. Hydration and shaded breaks are essential for construction crews, athletes, and anyone working the College World Series cleanup. Overnight lows will struggle to fall below 74 °F, offering little relief. Sunday starts muggy, then another round of pop-up storms could develop after 2 p.m. While coverage will be spottier than tonight, any cell that matures could become severe thanks to lingering instability, according to the NWS afternoon forecast discussion. Rain totals of 0.50″–1.25″ are possible through Monday morning—welcome moisture for parched lawns but a headache for low-lying neighborhoods that collected water from last week’s downpours. Looking ahead, a drier, slightly cooler pattern noses in on Tuesday, holding highs near 86 °F through mid-week before another heat surge arrives for the July 4th holiday. Firework vendors and event planners should monitor daily updates; the next storm threat may return late Thursday. Key safety tips • Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts and Omaha’s AlertSense texts for late-night warnings. • Check that basement sump pumps are clear of debris. • Never drive through flooded intersections; “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” • Keep pets indoors during peak heat and thunder. Stay with local broadcasters such as WOWT-6 for live radar sweeps and street-level timing as storms approach. For real-time updates, follow @NWSOmaha on X and bookmark weather.gov/Omaha for the latest advisories.