textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow chances (30-70%) move in today through early Friday, with highest accumulations expected to peak around 1 inch in northeast Nebraska.

- Colder today through Saturday, with Friday highs in the teens and Saturday morning wind chills from 10 to 20 degrees below zero.

- Additional light snow chances (40-60%) return late Saturday into Sunday, followed by a rebound toward near-normal temperatures by Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 158 AM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Today through Friday...

Northeasterly winds ushered cooler air into the region last night, dropping temperatures into the low 20s. A shortwave disturbance sliding southwest of the area this morning could bring us just enough moisture and forcing to produce some light snow. However, there remains quite a bit of dry air for snow to overcome before reaching the surface. Overall snowfall forecast amounts remain relatively unchanged, with a light dusting to 1 inch expected across the majority of the forecast area. Higher amounts of 1-2" will be possible across far northeast Nebraska where the more abundant moisture and a weak frontogenesis band could potentially coincide. Some locations, especially along and east of the Missouri River, may only see a few flurries. Despite the low snow amounts, commuters should be prepared for a few slick spots on untreated surfaces late this morning through the afternoon.

A more robust trough will drop south out of the Great Lakes on Friday, as a surface high builds into the northern Plains. This will bring a resurgence of cold air back into the region and gradually shunt moisture farther southwest. Expect flurries and light snow to linger over western portions of the forecast area Thursday night through Friday morning. Tonight, low temperatures are expected to dip into the single digits, with wind chills in the negative single digits and teens. Highs Friday afternoon will only reach the teens above zero, with 5 to 15 mph winds making it feel more like +5 to - 5. Friday night will be even colder, with wind chills bottoming out at -10 to -20.

Saturday through Sunday...

Temperatures will struggle to recover into the 20s Saturday afternoon, as the trough over the eastern CONUS drifts coast-ward.

Another clipper-like system will draw a cold front through the northern Plains this weekend, bringing another chance for light snow Saturday into Sunday (20-40%). The EPS members continue to keep the heavier snow across western Iowa with a handful of members ebbing into northeast Nebraska. The GFS ensemble members remain more unimpressed with the snowfall coverage. Either way, at the moment it looks like any amounts we do get from this system would likely be light, around 1" or less for the majority of the forecast area. For now, will maintain 40-70% PoPs, with the best chances bring Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

Temperatures rebound Sunday afternoon, as snowfall exits the area. Highs are currently forecast to reach the mid 30s to low 40s.

Monday and Beyond...

Mid-level ridging builds back into the region to start the work week, with highs on Monday and Tuesday expected to span the 30s. The next upper level system moving through the middle of the week may bring another chance for light precipitation, with PoPs in the 15- 30% range. Long-range guidance continues to show considerable spread in the track and overall impact of this system, limiting forecast confidence at this time.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1108 AM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Patchy MVFR conditions continue late this morning as light snow pushes across the area. Snow will gradually taper off into the afternoon, bringing periods of VFR conditions. However, transient areas of light snow/flurries will continue through the period (20% chance). Confidence is low in time or location of impacts from these light snow showers, leaving amendments to be made if needed. Additional accumulations will be minimal (under 0.25"). Patchy MVFR conditions will be possible under any showers that pass through.

Tonight into Friday morning, a band of MVFR ceilings will push into east-central Nebraska, likely pushing into KOFK and KLNK, with lower confidence in impacts at KOMA. Light snow will once again be possible, particularly at KOFK, though confidence is too low (25% chance) in this occurrence to include in the TAFs at this time.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...None. IA...None.