Council Bluffs, Iowa 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

376
FXUS63 KOAX 050459
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1159 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A few storms may move into eastern Nebraska tonight, with
  lightning and an isolated wind gust possible.

- Patchy fog may develop overnight, especially in low-lying or
  sheltered areas. Sunday will be mostly clear, with an isolated
  thunderstorm or two possible.

- Near-average July temperatures continue this week, with
  periodic thunderstorm chances Tuesday through Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1021 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

Tonight through Monday...

Water vapor imagery and objective analysis tonight depict an area
of mid-level high pressure over the Desert Southwest, with generally
zonal flow aloft over our region north of this feature. A series of
shortwave disturbances continue to round the ridge, with the most
locally impactful wave pushing from the Front Range into west-
central Nebraska tonight. This feature, along with an associated
surface trough, has led to storm development to our west, with
activity slowly pushing eastward.

Plenty of instability remains in place this evening, though shear
remains a limiting factor (bulk shear near 20 kts). With this in
mind, storms are not expected to maintain their intensity
particularly well as they move into the area. The primary concerns
will be lightning and perhaps an isolated wind gust with any
decaying storms that push into eastern Nebraska tonight. Plenty
of low-level moisture and calming winds overnight will support
the potential for patchy fog development, especially in low-
lying and wind-protected areas.

Sunday is shaping up to be a mostly clear day, with afternoon highs
in the upper 80s to lower 90s. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms
may develop along a transient surface low and associated cold
front pushing southward across the mid-MO Valley. Pockets of
small hail or gusty winds will remain possible with any stronger
storms, given ample instability but limited shear (~20 kts bulk
shear). A funnel cloud sighting also cannot be ruled out Sunday
afternoon, especially near the surface low across southeast
Nebraska and southwest Iowa, where some surface vorticity and
low-level instability overlap.

Monday looks warm and mostly clear as broad mid-level ridging
overspreads the area. High temperatures are expected to peak in the
upper 80s to lower 90s under generally calm conditions.

Tuesday and Beyond...

The remainder of the forecast period will generally be characterized
by zonal flow aloft, with a series of shortwave disturbances sliding
through the region. This will support near-average July temperatures
along with periodic rain and thunderstorm chances. Highs through the
rest of the week will generally remain in the upper 80s to lower
90s, with overnight lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

The first shortwave disturbance is expected to arrive late Tuesday
into Wednesday, bringing PoPs of 35-70%. A few strong to severe
storms cannot be ruled out, as sufficient instability and shear may
be in place. GEFS and EPS-EPS-AIFS based machine learning guidance
indicate a 5-15% probability for severe weather, mainly focused on
Wednesday. Another shortwave disturbance is forecast to move through
late Thursday into Friday, bringing another round of 20-35% Pops.
Confidence in the finer details remains limited at this range and
will become clearer as these features approach.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1154 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

Calm winds should allow for the development of patchy fog. Low-
lying areas will be most susceptible. Already visibility has
been reduced to IFR conditions at LNK and OMA at times as
firework smoke has mixed in. Have chose to keep 3 mile
visibility going overnight at both sites through sunrise.
Confidence in this solution is low, but with little to no wind,
it will be difficult to scour the smoke/fog out where it`s
developed.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Wood
AVIATION...Nicolaisen