textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong northwesterly winds with gusts of 30 to 45 mph expected through this evening.

- Another surge of arctic air will result in wind chills of 5 to 20 degrees below zero Monday morning.

- Near normal high temperatures return by mid-week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 248 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

Rest of Today and Tonight

A combination of factors has led to a drier and slightly less windy forecast than previously expected. The track of the shortwave trough was a bit farther south and west than forecast. This has kept the strongest winds north and west of the region. Winds remain relatively strong despite this with gusts of 30-45 mph through this evening. With the rapid progression on these systems, limited low- level moisture return and drier air quickly filling in behind the shortwave has eroded snow showers this afternoon. With that said, a few flurries remain possible into this evening, but no impacts are anticipated. Otherwise, temperatures in the 30s this afternoon quickly fall tonight as another surge of cold, arctic air arrives. Winds weaken overnight as well.

Rest of the Week

The aforementioned cold air shows itself Monday morning as widespread single digits to near zero temperatures are felt across the area. Wind chill temperatures range from 5 to 20 degrees below zero as well. These wind chills are only limited by the weakening winds through the morning hours. Temperatures are slow to warm into the teens to low 20s by Monday afternoon with such a cold start. As one system departs, another will already be diving south across southern Canada and the northern Great Plains. Westerly winds will help to push temperatures back to near normal by mid-week with perhaps a glancing snow shower with this passing system. Only a brief cool down is expected before a broader trough takes shape over the Great Plains. This will set the stage for another significant shot of cold air late in the week. Temperatures may be some of the coldest seen so far this winter season by next weekend, though it has been mild winter overall thus far. Additional snow may also be possible with this deepening system late in the week into this weekend.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 542 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

Patchy MVFR cloud cover at KOFK is expected to improve within the next few hours, with VFR conditions prevailing across the forecast area through the majority of the period. Light snow has struggled to reach the surface today. While a few flurries or brief showers aren't completely out of the question, overall precipitation chances should come to an end by 03Z this evening. Northwest winds will continue to gust to 25-35 kts periodically, with a push of stronger winds most likely along and east of the Missouri River,reaching KOMA between 01-04Z. Gusts should gradually diminish across the region through the overnight hours, generally falling below 12kts around 10Z Monday morning.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CST this evening for NEZ011-012- 015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053-065>068-078. IA...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CST this evening for IAZ043-055-056- 069-079.