Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Iowa and Nebraska
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for parts of southwest Iowa and central to eastern Nebraska, warning of potential damaging winds and large hail.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of far southwest Iowa and central to eastern Nebraska. The watch, designated as Severe Thunderstorm Watch 599, is in effect from 9:50 AM to 4:00 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Threat Overview
The primary threats associated with this watch include:
| Threat Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Damaging Wind Gusts | Up to 70 mph possible |
| Large Hail | Up to 1.5 inches in diameter possible |
A small cluster of severe thunderstorms is expected to move southeast through the watch area during the morning and into the afternoon. Some upscale growth may occur through the late morning and into the afternoon. Large hail and severe gusts of 60 to 70 mph are the primary hazards with these storms.
Geographic Scope
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northeast of Burwell, Nebraska, to 15 miles south southeast of Lincoln, Nebraska. For a complete depiction of the watch area, refer to the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).
Precautionary Actions
The SPC advises that a Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Residents in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
Aviation Impact
For aviation, the watch includes a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 1.5 inches, extreme turbulence, and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500 are expected. The mean storm motion vector is 31025.
Status Reports
The SPC has issued several status reports for Watch 599, indicating that the severe weather threat continues for specific areas. The reports include counties in Iowa and Nebraska that are under the watch. The status reports are for guidance purposes only, and official information on counties and marine zones cleared from severe thunderstorm and tornado watches can be found in the Watch County Notification Statements.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this severe weather event.
