Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 18, NWS Omaha, NE
NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at May 17, 2026, 8:04 PM CDT for Washington County, Nebraska; Harrison County, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 17, 2026, 8:04 PM CDT (01:04 UTC)
- Expired
- May 17, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Omaha, NE
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Harrison County, IA, Pottawattamie County, IA, Washington County, NE
The radar
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:07 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 3:16 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 1.1 hours before the alert went out and 48 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2478 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -15 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1258 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 178 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 298 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 2.0
- Supercell composite
- 17.9
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 17, 6:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 6:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
637 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Sunday and Monday will be days to watch very closely if you
live within the Omaha area of forecast responsibility.
Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected bringing
the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and
flash flooding.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 142 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
This afternoon, an elongated sfc low will be in place from SE
Colorado/SW Kansas up into the Dakotas. A dryline is set up toward
the KS/CO border and a warm front is located across central
Nebraska. Temps are currently in the 80s in the warm sector with
dewpoints in the mid-60s. SBCAPE values of 3500+ J/kg, MLCAPE values
of 3000+ J/kg and DCAPE values of 1200+ J/kg are expected. Expect
good instability through the afternoon/evening and fairly steep
lapse rates, particularly down into central and eastern Nebraska.
Portions of northeastern Nebraska in particular are showing
potential for an environment favorable for strong updrafts and
potentially some longer lived supercells. Any storms that are able
to get going and become sustained in that favorable environment
would have the best chance of developing a tornado, with some
potential to be strong. Storms are expected to develop into a line,
posing a damaging wind threat along with hail and tornadoes
possible.
Heading into Monday, a broad trough extends from the PACNW up into
eastern Nebraska/western Iowa. Another system moves in through the
day, bringing additional chances for strong to severe storms,
particularly for areas along and south of Interstate 80. There still
remain some questions as to how far north the warm front and system
get. The environment is expected to be primed with strong
instability and deep layer shear conducive for supercell development
and maintenance. With this type of set up, large hail and damaging
winds are to be expected in addition to the possibility for a few
strong and potentially long-lived tornadoes. Flash flooding will be
possible, particularly in areas that have also received a few inches
of rain over the last 48 hours.
Expect cooler temperatures for much of the week as a cold front
pushes into the region Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday bring relief
from the recent storms.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 637 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
A line of severe thunderstorms is observed at this hour from
near KOFK to KJYR to KHJH. These storms have a history of
producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. The line
will continue progressing eastward this evening, eventually
turning into more of a damaging wind threat as it approaches
KOMA and KLNK. Have continued mentions of -TSRA at terminals
this evening, refining timing at KOMA with the line expected to
arrive by 01z per latest model guidance. Expect frequent updates
and amendments. Background winds will switch to the west
northwest once the line moves through, and remaining at 12 kts
or less after 06z. Ceilings will deteriorate to MVFR and IFR at
terminals tonight behind the line of storms and persist through
much of the TAF cycle. After 20z, will see more redevelopment of
showers and thunderstorms, with chances over 50% late in the
TAF period. These storms will once again become strong to severe
with all hazards possible.
&&
.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for NEZ065-066-068-078-
088>093.
IA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...ANW
AVIATION...CastilloHazardous weather outlook, May 17, 1:51 PM CDT, 6 hours 13 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034- 042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-181900- Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page- Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton- Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas- Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage-Johnson- Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson- 151 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after 4 PM, initially across northeast Nebraska before spreading south and east. Large hail (2+ inches), damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes (possibly strong) are the expected hazards. Heavy rain due to several storms moving over the same area may result in some concerns for flash flooding. A Tornado Watch has been issued for the northern portion of the outlook area through 10 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional strong to severe storms are forecast for Monday afternoon, with an increased threat for large hail (2-4+ inches) and strong tornadoes. Additional chances for heavy rainfall on top of what has already fallen since Friday night will result in a potential for flash flooding, particularly for portions of southeastern Nebraska. Chances to see severe storm activity is maximized over southeast Nebraska. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Any reports of hail, strong winds, tornadoes, flooding or damage are greatly appreciated today and Monday.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 17, 7:55 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 7:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saunders | 42 min |
| May 17, 7:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Jefferson, Saline | 32 min |
| May 17, 7:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Jefferson, Saline, Seward | 44 min |
| May 17, 7:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 40 min |
| May 17, 7:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Thurston | 11 min |
| May 17, 7:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Thurston, Washington | 48 min |
| May 17, 7:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington | 45 min |
| May 17, 7:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders | 59 min |
| May 17, 7:32 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Lancaster | 119 min |
| May 17, 7:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Saline | 29 min |
| May 17, 7:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders | 43 min |
| May 17, 7:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Otoe, Pawnee | 49 min |
| May 17, 8:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Dodge, Washington | 45 min |
| May 17, 8:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saunders | 44 min |
| May 17, 8:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Washington | 64 min |
| May 17, 8:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Douglas, Sarpy | 29 min |
| May 17, 8:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cass, Lancaster, Otoe | 27 min |
| May 17, 8:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders | 50 min |
| May 17, 8:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe | 46 min |
| May 17, 8:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee | 47 min |
| May 17, 8:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cass | 29 min |
| May 17, 9:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Otoe, Sarpy | 72 min |
| May 17, 9:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe | 46 min |
| May 17, 9:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Pawnee | 39 min |
| May 17, 9:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 46 min |
| May 17, 10:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson | 30 min |
| May 18, 2:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 52 min |
| May 18, 2:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 49 min |
| May 18, 2:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Pawnee | 66 min |
| May 18, 2:57 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 5 hr |
| May 18, 3:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage | 60 min |
| May 18, 3:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 38 min |
| May 18, 3:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Johnson, Pawnee | 50 min |
| May 18, 3:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee | 51 min |
| May 18, 3:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Colfax, Cuming, Stanton | 42 min |
| May 18, 3:49 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Pawnee | 4 hr |
| May 18, 3:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Colfax, Cuming, Stanton | 38 min |
| May 18, 3:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Dodge, Saunders | 47 min |
| May 18, 4:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha | 60 min |
| May 18, 4:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson | 43 min |
| May 18, 4:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Seward | 42 min |
| May 18, 4:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Thurston, Wayne | 24 min |
| May 18, 4:25 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Pawnee | 39 min |
| May 18, 4:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Washington | 63 min |
| May 18, 4:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Colfax, Dodge | 39 min |
| May 18, 4:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Otoe, Richardson | 66 min |
| May 18, 4:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Pawnee, Richardson | 64 min |
| May 18, 4:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson, Saline | 46 min |
| May 18, 4:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Saline, Seward | 41 min |
| May 18, 4:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Richardson | 53 min |
| May 18, 4:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Thurston | 21 min |
| May 18, 5:02 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson | 5 hr |
| May 18, 5:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Richardson | 48 min |
| May 18, 5:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Gage, Pawnee | 39 min |
| May 18, 5:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cuming, Stanton, Wayne | 26 min |
| May 18, 5:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Saline, Seward | 52 min |
| May 18, 5:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Saunders | 42 min |
| May 18, 5:51 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Nemaha, Richardson | 4 hr |
| May 18, 5:57 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 18 min |
| May 18, 6:02 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Gage, Pawnee, Richardson | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Jefferson, Saline | 48 min |
| May 18, 6:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Johnson, Otoe | 20 min |
| May 18, 6:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha | 20 min |
| May 18, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Otoe | 31 min |
| May 18, 6:23 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Richardson | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Lancaster | 47 min |
| May 18, 6:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Gage, Jefferson | 43 min |
| May 18, 6:32 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Richardson | 20 min |
| May 18, 6:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Richardson | 42 min |
| May 17, 8:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Harrison, Shelby | 65 min |
| May 17, 8:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Harrison, Pottawattamie | 25 min |
| May 17, 8:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Harrison, Monona | 33 min |
| May 17, 8:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, Shelby | 64 min |
| May 17, 9:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Mills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie | 39 min |
| May 17, 10:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page | 54 min |
| May 18, 5:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Fremont, Page | 54 min |
| May 18, 5:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Page | 62 min |
| May 18, 6:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Mills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie | 14 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2026Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.