The Omaha metro area may be right in the thick of a line of severe storms moving through eastern Nebraska on Friday, with winds up to 80 mph capping off a day of near-100-degree heat indexes on the evening before America's 250th anniversary, according to the National Weather Service in Valley.
Omaha storms could begin around 5 or 6 p.m. Friday, with the highest threat for damaging winds lasting from 5 to 10 p.m., said Clint Aegerter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley.
The Weather Service placed the metro under an enhanced risk — level three out of five — for severe weather Friday. Damaging winds are the main concern, but Aegerter said hail and a tornado are also possible. Showers and storms could linger past midnight, he said.
"It's not looking like a super great night to be outside," Aegerter said. "But ... there are going to be some gaps in the storms, probably, so (we) could get lucky."
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Friday's forecasted high in Omaha is 91 degrees, with the heat index approaching 100 degrees, Aegerter said. While it's not high enough to warrant a heat advisory, Aegerter recommended taking breaks in the shade or air conditioning, staying hydrated and wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
For the holiday on Saturday, the highest storm threat is expected to trend south of Omaha during the day.
"You might have a stray shower here or there in the afternoon, but (it) doesn't look like anything too impactful," Aegerter said.
However, the outlook for Saturday could change, depending on how Friday's storms play out, he said.
Saturday should be slightly cooler, with a high around 89 degrees and a heat index in the mid-90s.
Some outdoor events in Omaha are taking precautions with the forecast. The Nebraska Wind Symphony relocated their outdoor Capitol District concert Friday night to UNO’s Strauss Performing Arts Center.
Due to weather, The RiverFront announced Friday that it had postponed its Community Concert featuring Legends of Country with the Omaha Symphony, which was scheduled for Friday night, to Sunday.
The event times will remain the same, The RiverFront said — patrons can secure spots on the Gene Leahy Mall starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, and the Omaha Symphony's concert will last from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
As the city celebrates the founding of the U.S., Aegerter urged anyone outdoors to know where they would shelter if storms approach and to plan multiple ways to receive weather warnings and alerts, noting that lightning is a threat with any thunderstorm.
