OMAHA, NEBRASKA — An explosive severe weather setup is taking shape across the Central Plains and Midwest for Friday June 5, 2026, as GFS 00Z CAPE forecast data valid at 6:00 PM CT on June 5 shows extraordinarily high instability values centered across Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas with peak CAPE reaching 3451 J/kg near Omaha and forecasters anticipating damaging winds, very large hail, and a few tornadoes if storms can organize during the mid to late afternoon and evening hours.
Extreme CAPE Values Up to 3451 J/kg Centered Near Omaha and Des Moines Friday Evening
The GFS 00Z CAPE forecast for 6:00 PM CT Friday June 5, 2026 shows an extraordinary instability field with peak values of 3451 J/kg near Omaha and 3216 J/kg near Des Moines representing some of the most explosive storm fuel possible across the Central Plains and Midwest. Additional high CAPE values include 2941 J/kg near Kansas City, 2353 J/kg near Kearney, 2667 J/kg near Wichita, 1804 J/kg near Sioux Falls, 1882 J/kg near Milwaukee, and 1922 J/kg near Davenport. This massive instability footprint stretching from Nebraska through Iowa and into Wisconsin creates a very large geographic window for severe storm development Friday afternoon and evening…