First Alert Day updates: Damaging winds, torrential rain racing through early Thursday morning

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Today is a First Alert Day. Here’s the latest breaking weather developments.

3:30 AM UPDATE: The leading edge of thunderstorms (the worst of it) has moved through Omaha, with sub-severe showers and thunderstorms continuing behind. Strongest storms with the highest wind gusts moving into northwest Missouri. Tune in to 6 News Daybreak for the latest weather update and forecast starting at 4:30 AM.

3 AM UPDATE: The area of strongest winds now from SW Sarpy County down to Lincoln. Watching this area for any embedded rotation as well. Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, gusty winds, and even some small hail continue elsewhere.

2:30 AM UPDATE: The line of severe storms is beginning to move into the western side of the Omaha Metro. Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and wind gusts 60-70 mph possible. Reports of power outages near Stanton, in Pilger, and Fremont with trees down near Scribner and Madison, NE.

2 AM UPDATE: Thunderstorms were slow to initially develop Wednesday evening. By Midnight into 1 AM, thunderstorms strengthened while congealing into a bowing line. Within the line of thunderstorms, a few embedded areas of rotation occurred, triggering isolated tornado warnings. The greater and more widespread threat is damaging winds. Gusts up to **80 MPH** are possible along the leading line as these storms continue to race eastward.

10:45PM UPDATE: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for most of eastern Nebraska and into far western Iowa. Severe thunderstorms have developed in northern Nebraska, and will push our direction overnight. Storms will likely arrive in the Norfolk area around Midnight, in the Fremont area between 1 and 2am, and in the Omaha metro between 2 and 3am. Damaging winds gusts are the main threat with these storms, though some small hail is possible along with torrential rain and frequent lightning.

9PM UPDATE: The risk for severe storms has increased slightly for the Omaha metro into western Iowa. With moisture-rich air in place across the region, this may allow storms to maintain their strength farther into our area, subsequently increasing our risk for damaging winds. Most of eastern Nebraska now sites at a 3 out of 5, or enhanced risk for damaging winds for the overnight hours. Heavy rain is also likely, and some hail is possible, but widespread damaging hail is not expected.

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