textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- A wintry mix of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow continues through this evening across much of the area (60-80% Chance), leading to travel impacts (especially along and north of I-80 in Nebraska). A light glaze of ice and a dusting of snow is possible, especially for northeast Nebraska.

- A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through this evening for northeast and east-central Nebraska.

- Temperatures quickly rebound into the 40s and 50s this weekend with largely dry and warmer-than-average weather into next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 250 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

Remainder of Today into Tonight

Winter weather has been slow to spread across eastern Nebraska so far this afternoon. As noted in the 18Z OAX sounding, dry air just above the surface has limited coverage thus far. A compact shortwave continues to move into the central Great Plains with weak cyclogenesis to our southwest. This has supported the development of widespread freezing precipitation across much of central Nebraska, but impacts in our area has largely remained west of a Norfolk to Columbus line. That being said, a gradual expansion of winter weather is anticipated through the remainder of this afternoon into this evening as this system moves through. Otherwise, low clouds continue to hold most locations in the 20s this afternoon.

By this evening, light freezing rain should have spread into east- central Nebraska. Any freezing rain is forecast to remain light and should quickly change over to snow once the sun sets. The precipitation continues into southwest Iowa after sunset, but everything begins to weaken and dissipate at this point. Any precipitation will vacate the area after midnight.

Overall, only a very light amount of ice accumulation and perhaps a dusting of snow is expected. The best chance to see these amounts will be over northeast Nebraska. This threat lessens over east- central Nebraska, though at least isolated areas of accumulation are expected. Elsewhere, little to no accumulations are expected. Whether it is freezing rain or snow, slick spots are likely where precipitation falls. With all of the above in mind, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through this evening for northeast and east-central Nebraska.

This Weekend and Beyond

Any icy road conditions that linger into this weekend will be short- lived. While temperatures start in the 20s, Saturday afternoon sees everyone push above freezing into the 40s. This is in response to clearing skies as mid-level ridging begins to build over the central Great Plains. By Sunday, temperatures rebound even further, reaching the 50s for many. These above normal temperatures are forecast to continue into the first half of next week as well. With ridging in place, any weather systems remain north of the area. As a result, mostly dry conditions can be expected with only passing high clouds as a few weak disturbances round the periphery of the ridge.

Our next potential weather system is not set to arrive until the second half of next week. A broad through across the western half of the United States is anticipated to begin slowly progressing east into the Great Plains. With this disturbance, a return of precipitation chances and colder temperatures is likely. While relatively warm temperatures and rain are initially forecast on Thursday. Cooling temperatures by Friday may see snow enter the picture. Stay tuned for details as forecast confidence remains low at this juncture.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 524 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

KOFK: IFR conditions persist as low stratus remains in the area. Still have some precipitation falling in the region; however, dry air aloft has been hindering some of that reaching the surface. With temps currently in the mid-20s, any precipitation that falls at this point should be snow. Ceilings will improve to MVFR by tomorrow morning, and VFR by 17Z. Winds will be light and variable, topping out around 6kts.

KOMA: Ceilings are expected to lower to IFR over the next hour or two as wintry precipitation moves into the vicinity of the terminal. There is a low end chance of a brief period of freezing rain through around 01Z as precipitation begins due to a thin layer of warmer air. There is also some dry air aloft that has been hindering precipitation reaching the ground in some locations. Right now, the thinking is that snow will be the main precipitation type at the terminal, resulting in some reductions to visibility. Ceilings will improve to MVFR after 06Z.

KLNK: Ceilings will lower to IFR levels over the next 1-2 hours at the terminal as precipitation moves in. There is a very low end chance that a brief period of light freezing rain impacts the terminal, with the more likely solution being snow. Thus far, there has been a layer of dry air that has resulted in precipitation not reaching the ground in some locations until things have saturated. Expect chances for snow through around 06Z, with ceilings improving to MVFR as snow moves out.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Winter Weather Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for NEZ011- 012-016>018-030>032-042-043-050. Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM CST this evening for NEZ015-033-034-044-045-051>053-065>067. IA...None.