Active Weather Alerts
Air Quality Alert
Issued: 6:23 PM Mar. 20, 2026 – National Weather Service
The following is transmitted in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy... WHAT...Air Quality Alert WHERE...Southeastern Nebraska WHEN... 03/21/2026 8:00 PM until 03/22/2026 9:00 AM POLLUTANT...PM 2.5 particulates AIR QUALITY INDEX...Moderate to periodic Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups ADDITIONAL DETAILS... An alert for possible Moderate (Air Quality Index yellow category) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (Air Quality Index orange category) due to smoke has been issued for the following Nebraska counties: Butler, Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, and Washington, from March 21, 8:00 pm through March 21, 9:00 am. During Moderate (AQI yellow category) conditions, those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience health effects, and are advised to minimize prolonged or heavy exertion. Symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath are signs to take it easier. During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange category) conditions, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children/teens, pregnant women, and those who are active outdoors. Members of sensitive groups are advised to minimize prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and take more breaks. Smoke from prescribed burning may affect the air quality in Nebraska. Smoke levels and wind directions are monitored by Nebraska and other states to predict when impacts to the air quality may occur. Information regarding prescribed burning impacts is available from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) at https://dee.nebraska.gov/smoke-and-air-quality. Alerts are based on data available from weather forecasts, smoke plume modeling, satellite imagery, and from air quality monitors located in Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff. Advisories for smoke and air quality are issued for affected areas by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) and posted on agency webpages and social media sites. By notifying the media and local health departments, alerts help citizens protect their health by informing them of days where outdoor activities should be reduced or avoided to minimize exposure to smoke.
Red Flag Warning
Issued: 5:04 PM Mar. 20, 2026 – National Weather Service
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 4 AM CDT SUNDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR EASTERN NEBRASKA INTO SOUTHWEST IOWA... * AFFECTED AREA...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, and Richardson Counties. * TIMING...From 11 AM Saturday to 4 AM CDT Sunday. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected to occur. A combination of dry fuels, strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. &&
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