A tornado watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Lancaster and surrounding counties until midnight Thursday.
A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes. A warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
This storm system also comes with a chance hail and strong winds. NWS Omaha said the area for enhanced risk expanded slightly Thursday morning, appearing to mainly effect areas northeast of Omaha. The estimated chance of storms in Lincoln are below 50%, and would likely strike between 7-8 p.m.
“We could see some very large hail up to 2 to 3 inches in diameter, strong wind gusts, maybe 60-70 miles an hour, and there is also a chance that one or two of these storms could produce a tornado,” said NWS Meteorologist Katie Gross.
Gross says Easter weekend is expected to bring cooler temperatures with a chance of some rain showers.
“Friday, Saturday and Sunday we kind of drop down into the upper 50s and low 60s. As far as like other types of weather, Friday and Saturday look like they will be fairly dry, but then we do have another chance for some rain showers moving into the region for Sunday,” Gross said.