2026 Weather Thread

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Sun May 17, 2026 12:32 pm

I’m targeting somewhere around Columbus probably to start…

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Sun May 17, 2026 12:48 pm

stormchaser wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:32 pm I’m targeting somewhere around Columbus probably to start…

That seems like a decent spot to go from. The afternoon HRRR runs are hinting that Omaha could potentially be split with the bulk of the initial line going to the North and then Southern line developing into Iowa and Southeast Nebraska after it is through the metro.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Sun May 17, 2026 12:53 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:48 pm
stormchaser wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:32 pm I’m targeting somewhere around Columbus probably to start…
That seems like a decent spot to go from. The afternoon HRRR runs are hinting that Omaha could potentially be split with the bulk of the initial line going to the North and then Southern line developing into Iowa and Southeast Nebraska after it is through the metro.

Yep, we’ll see if that happens

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Sun May 17, 2026 1:09 pm

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Sun May 17, 2026 2:26 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:48 pm
stormchaser wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:32 pm I’m targeting somewhere around Columbus probably to start…
That seems like a decent spot to go from. The afternoon HRRR runs are hinting that Omaha could potentially be split with the bulk of the initial line going to the North and then Southern line developing into Iowa and Southeast Nebraska after it is through the metro.

Is there a specific place to see the HRRR runs? I tried to find it but I’m a dummy.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Sun May 17, 2026 3:27 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 12:48 pm Is there a specific place to see the HRRR runs? I tried to find it but I’m a dummy.

It is a federally funded weather model. https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/ or better displayed somewhere like here. https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=hrrr

It is arguably the best short-range weather model in North America right now, and runs every hour. With that said if you aren't hugely into weather there isn't really a reason to look at it, and even if you do, you need to have an understanding of what you're looking at. It is basically a computer simulation going forward that restarts every single hour, but you need to compare it to previous model runs for itself and other models as well. On Friday night, the HRRR handled part of the system really well and missed another part whereas another model was the complete opposite.

This is a link to as of the time of my post the HRRRs latest thinking about tonight as far as simulated radar https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.ph ... &dpdt=&mc=

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 8:37 am

Ended up seeing a couple funnels early on as the storms first fired northwest of Grand Island. Also saw a wedge (from a distance) near Saint Libory, NE (north of Grand Island).

Pretty cool structure and obvious RFD cut with the wedge underneath though hard to see since the contrast was poor from where I was at as I was trying to reposition and things happened to cycle back up as I was doing so.

Post by **Brad** » Mon May 18, 2026 9:17 am

Nice Photo! You chasing again today?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon May 18, 2026 9:26 am

I'm with Brad - great looking shot!

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 10:46 am

Thanks!

I'm probably sitting this one out. While I'm sure there will be tornadoes - especially somewhere along the NE/KS border in far southeast NE and/or adjacent parts of northeast KS - my schedule today doesn't work for me to really be out there. Plus I've had my fill the last few days.

Yesterday in particular had TONS of people out to the point of it being more frustrating than anything. It reminded me of what often happens in OK/KS/TX with basically traffic jams out in the middle of "nowhere" and lines of vehicles for as far as you can see (literally hundreds of them). I'm assuming today will be similar in northeast KS/far southeastern NE.

That's why I prefer my sleeper setups TBH

.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 11:05 am

If anyone is curious, this is what's happening in this photo and is a "real-time" view of what you're seeing when looking at velocities on radar (often the red next to the green used to depict rotation on radar - aka a mesocyclone and sometimes a "radar indicated tornado").

For reference, this is a view of the storm from the south looking north.

Warm/humid inflow feeding into the storm from the east with the "Rear Flank Downdraft" (aka RFD) wrapping around and pushing the opposite direction with cooler/dry air from the west causing rotation. When it has a balance like this and one isn't significantly stronger than the other (aka it doesn't "undercut" the lowering), things tighten up and can produce a tornado.

Post by **Brad** » Mon May 18, 2026 11:07 am

stormchaser wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 10:46 am Yesterday in particular had TONS of people out to the point of it being more frustrating than anything. It reminded me of what often happens in OK/KS/TX with basically traffic jams out in the middle of "nowhere" and lines of vehicles for as far as you can see (literally hundreds of them)

There will be a similar situation when the Union Pacific BigBoy comes through Nebraska next week... LOL

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 11:14 am

Brad wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 11:07 am
stormchaser wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 10:46 am Yesterday in particular had TONS of people out to the point of it being more frustrating than anything. It reminded me of what often happens in OK/KS/TX with basically traffic jams out in the middle of "nowhere" and lines of vehicles for as far as you can see (literally hundreds of them)
There will be a similar situation when the Union Pacific BigBoy comes through Nebraska next week... LOL

Lol doesn't surprise me

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 12:14 pm

Same tornado I saw just waaayyyy closer.

Post by **Brad** » Mon May 18, 2026 12:19 pm

I hate vertical video so much!

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 12:20 pm

Brad wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:19 pm I hate vertical video so much!

Lol same

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon May 18, 2026 1:21 pm

PDS tornado watch issued for far southeast NE, southwest into central KS.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon May 18, 2026 2:17 pm

I'd be surprised if metro Omaha area gets hit again today... it's almost chilly outside compared to the past few days.

Post by **Brad** » Mon May 18, 2026 2:21 pm

djc311 wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 2:17 pm I'd be surprised if metro Omaha area gets hit again today... it's almost chilly outside compared to the past few days.

The front hasn't moved all day... Its been down by Nebraska City since I woke up today.

Screenshot 2026-05-18 142020.jpg

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 2:31 pm

djc311 wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 2:17 pm I'd be surprised if metro Omaha area gets hit again today... it's almost chilly outside compared to the past few days.

We'll get storms and maybe some hail/wind but the tornado threat should remain south of us

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Mon May 18, 2026 4:26 pm

Looking like we are going to get jack squat right now.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Mon May 18, 2026 5:44 pm

Louie wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 4:26 pm Looking like we are going to get jack squat right now.

For tornadoes? Correct. We are north of the boundary. Thunderstorms with some potential damaging hail? I think we’ll get them yet (thunderstorms/rain anyway).

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon May 18, 2026 8:48 pm

Louie wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 4:26 pm Looking like we are going to get jack squat right now.

I’m ok with that.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue May 19, 2026 1:16 pm

This upcoming cool stretch is quite an anomaly. In the 13 years I've been gardening, I cannot recall any year that Ive been concerned about it being too cool this late into May. Although they say not to plant watermelon and such til June, Ive never had a problem squeezing in some extra growing time by planting them right along my other plants after the last freeze. Heck, I was even running a bit late this year by planting everything on the 11th. We'll see how this goes, but I'll be surprised if the watermelon make it through this late cool spell.

I'm a firm believer that earth and the environment is a vessel in that you can't take away or add anything.to it. So for the out of place warm (hot) days in winter and spring, we're paying it back now with an out of place late May cool spell.

And I mean it is CHILLY.

remline · Post by **remline** » Wed May 20, 2026 9:48 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 1:16 pm In the 13 years I've been gardening, I cannot recall any year that Ive been concerned about it being too cool this late into May.

I want to try some zucchini this year in the garden. I wonder if I should wait until Saturday for slightly warmer over-nights to transplant it?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Wed May 20, 2026 12:03 pm

remline wrote: Wed May 20, 2026 9:48 am
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 1:16 pm In the 13 years I've been gardening, I cannot recall any year that Ive been concerned about it being too cool this late into May.
I want to try some zucchini this year in the garden. I wonder if I should wait until Saturday for slightly warmer over-nights to transplant it?

I'd wait. Since I already planted stuff like that, im just crossing my fingers. But when it comes down to it, even starting in June is just enough time. I won't be surprised if I have to start again from seed. Come to think of it, I may just restart them in some peat pots just for insurance. By the time they come up, the forecast looks plenty warm.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 9:18 am

My neighborhood near 90th & Center, we received 5.10 in of rain in May. Not bad at all.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 1:46 pm

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Wed Jun 10, 2026 9:22 am

Just a heads up that overnight tonight into early tomorrow morning looks potentially dangerous in the local area.

Overnight tornado outbreaks are relatively uncommon (where storms develop during the overnight hours I mean - storms lasting into the overnight hours aren't uncommon, however).

What's being depicted on the 12z HRRR for sometime in the 3 AM to 6 AM timeframe overnight tonight/early tomorrow screams potential tornadoes currently.

Hopefully that isn't what ends up happening but heads up to pay attention and be prepared anyway.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Wed Jun 10, 2026 4:55 pm

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Jun 11, 2026 10:39 am

Glad that the metro was mostly spared this morning from the storms and the rain was a nice benefit.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jun 11, 2026 11:06 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Jun 11, 2026 10:39 am Glad that the metro was mostly spared this morning from the storms and the rain was a nice benefit.

Yeah, we got 0.82" and didn't have anything bad this time! I see Rusty posted about 2 tornadoes in Cass and Mills county this morning.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Jun 11, 2026 11:12 am

Yeah, living near the Platte River I was a little worried for a while, but they went straight east instead of NE.

I got 1.65" in Bellevue, I am sure most of the metro got less but 8/10" is still great.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Fri Jun 12, 2026 2:06 am

Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2026 4:55 pm

I went and hung out on the 6th floor of the north parking garage so my car would be protected. Stood and watched the storm roll in. At a couple times, the rain was so heavy I couldn’t see the lights and signs on the skyscrapers.

Brad, if you haven’t taken photos from there, it’s an excellent vantage point!

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jun 12, 2026 8:06 am

GenX wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2026 2:06 am I went and hung out on the 6th floor of the north parking garage so my car would be protected. Stood and watched the storm roll in. At a couple times, the rain was so heavy I couldn’t see the lights and signs on the skyscrapers.

Brad, if you haven’t taken photos from there, it’s an excellent vantage point!

Which parking Garage?

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:53 am

Pretty big thunderstorm this morning. Not sure how much rain, thinking definitely over an inch and some wind gust of around 50-60 mph. Glad it wasn’t any worse with the CWS just starting.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sat Jun 13, 2026 11:02 am

Cermak wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:53 am Pretty big thunderstorm this morning. Not sure how much rain, thinking definitely over an inch and some wind gust of around 50-60 mph. Glad it wasn’t any worse with the CWS just starting.

1.6” in dundee. It was really coming down.

Padre · Post by **Padre** » Sat Jun 13, 2026 11:11 am

Louie wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2026 11:02 am
Cermak wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:53 am Pretty big thunderstorm this morning. Not sure how much rain, thinking definitely over an inch and some wind gust of around 50-60 mph. Glad it wasn’t any worse with the CWS just starting.
1.6” in dundee. It was really coming down.

I know Saddle Creek flooded, though that’s not a surprise. And as it hit, there was a little bit of hail.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Sat Jun 13, 2026 3:25 pm

Brad wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2026 8:06 am
GenX wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2026 2:06 am I went and hung out on the 6th floor of the north parking garage so my car would be protected. Stood and watched the storm roll in. At a couple times, the rain was so heavy I couldn’t see the lights and signs on the skyscrapers.

Brad, if you haven’t taken photos from there, it’s an excellent vantage point!
Which parking Garage?

North

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jun 13, 2026 5:02 pm

GenX wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2026 3:25 pm
Brad wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2026 8:06 am
GenX wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2026 2:06 am I went and hung out on the 6th floor of the north parking garage so my car would be protected. Stood and watched the storm roll in. At a couple times, the rain was so heavy I couldn’t see the lights and signs on the skyscrapers.

Brad, if you haven’t taken photos from there, it’s an excellent vantage point!
Which parking Garage?
North

At the airport? That's the only garage I have heard to referred to as "North", but that seems like a really expensive place to ride out a storm compared to the garages downtown.