Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 18, NWS Omaha, NE

May 17, 2026Washington County, Nebraska; Harrison County, Pottawattamie County, Iowa

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 17, 3:16 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2478 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 178 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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...Castillo
Hazardous 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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Local storm report, May 17, 7:57 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 17, 7:59 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 17, 8:00 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 17, 8:03 PM CDT, 1 minute before
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Local storm report, May 17, 8:04 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 7:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXSaunders42 min
May 17, 7:08 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXJefferson, Saline32 min
May 17, 7:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJefferson, Saline, Seward44 min
May 17, 7:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson40 min
May 17, 7:22 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXThurston11 min
May 17, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge, Thurston, Washington48 min
May 17, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXDodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington45 min
May 17, 7:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders59 min
May 17, 7:32 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXLancaster119 min
May 17, 7:33 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXGage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Saline29 min
May 17, 7:47 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXCass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders43 min
May 17, 7:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Otoe, Pawnee49 min
May 17, 8:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Dodge, Washington45 min
May 17, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXLancaster, Saunders44 min
May 17, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXCass, Douglas, Sarpy, Washington64 min
May 17, 8:14 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXDouglas, Sarpy29 min
May 17, 8:17 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXCass, Lancaster, Otoe27 min
May 17, 8:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXCass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders50 min
May 17, 8:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe46 min
May 17, 8:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee47 min
May 17, 8:46 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXCass29 min
May 17, 9:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXCass, Otoe, Sarpy72 min
May 17, 9:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Otoe46 min
May 17, 9:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXGage, Pawnee39 min
May 17, 9:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXNemaha, Pawnee, Richardson46 min
May 17, 10:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson30 min
May 18, 2:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson52 min
May 18, 2:26 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXGage, Jefferson49 min
May 18, 2:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXGage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Pawnee66 min
May 18, 2:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOAXGage, Jefferson5 hr
May 18, 3:00 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXGage60 min
May 18, 3:07 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXGage, Jefferson38 min
May 18, 3:38 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXJohnson, Pawnee50 min
May 18, 3:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXGage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee51 min
May 18, 3:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXColfax, Cuming, Stanton42 min
May 18, 3:49 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOAXGage, Johnson, Pawnee4 hr
May 18, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXColfax, Cuming, Stanton38 min
May 18, 3:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Dodge, Saunders47 min
May 18, 4:00 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha60 min
May 18, 4:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson43 min
May 18, 4:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Seward42 min
May 18, 4:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXThurston, Wayne24 min
May 18, 4:25 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyOAXPawnee39 min
May 18, 4:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge, Washington63 min
May 18, 4:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXColfax, Dodge39 min
May 18, 4:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXNemaha, Otoe, Richardson66 min
May 18, 4:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXPawnee, Richardson64 min
May 18, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson, Saline46 min
May 18, 4:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXLancaster, Saline, Seward41 min
May 18, 4:52 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXRichardson53 min
May 18, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBurt, Thurston21 min
May 18, 5:02 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson5 hr
May 18, 5:12 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatOAXRichardson48 min
May 18, 5:21 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXGage, Pawnee39 min
May 18, 5:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXCuming, Stanton, Wayne26 min
May 18, 5:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXSaline, Seward52 min
May 18, 5:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Saunders42 min
May 18, 5:51 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXNemaha, Richardson4 hr
May 18, 5:57 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha, Pawnee, Richardson18 min
May 18, 6:02 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXGage, Pawnee, Richardson3 hr
May 18, 6:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJefferson, Saline48 min
May 18, 6:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Johnson, Otoe20 min
May 18, 6:14 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha20 min
May 18, 6:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXCass, Otoe31 min
May 18, 6:23 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXRichardson3 hr
May 18, 6:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Lancaster47 min
May 18, 6:32 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXGage, Jefferson43 min
May 18, 6:32 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha, Richardson20 min
May 18, 6:48 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXRichardson42 min
May 17, 8:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXHarrison, Shelby65 min
May 17, 8:28 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXHarrison, Pottawattamie25 min
May 17, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXHarrison, Monona33 min
May 17, 8:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXHarrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, Shelby64 min
May 17, 9:06 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXMills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie39 min
May 17, 10:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXFremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page54 min
May 18, 5:06 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXFremont, Page54 min
May 18, 5:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXPage62 min
May 18, 6:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXMills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie14 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.