textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Breezy southwest winds between 20 to 30 mph develop late this morning and continue through the afternoon. - Temperatures will warm up into the 50s this week, with 60s forecast for many by Thursday, Christmas day.

- Dry conditions are expected through the forecast period.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 227 AM CST Sun Dec 21 2025

The cold front yesterday morning has long since moved off into the Northeast. Surface high pressure is moving into Iowa, allowing light winds to gradually switch around to the south and southwest through the remainder of the morning. Other than scattered high cirrus, the light winds and mostly clear skies are allowing temperatures to fall into the lower 20s and upper teens. There is a high chance these will be the coldest temperatures of the forecast period. By this afternoon, increasing southwesterly winds will help initiate a warming trend. Wind speeds are expected to climb to between 20 and 30 mph by late morning through the afternoon. Upper 40s to near 50 can be expected with the aid of these southwest winds. It is going to be dry across the region, with relative humidity falling into the 25 to 35 percent range across Eastern Nebraska. High fire danger is likely for much of Eastern Nebraska, with very high fire danger possible for portions of Northeast Nebraska.

By Monday, ridging takes hold over the Great Plains, pushing the jet stream and any associated weather systems into North Dakota and Canada through the remainder of the week. Under this ridging, well- above normal temperatures are to be expected. There is a high chance most locations climb 15 to 20 degrees above normal each afternoon with records being challenged by Thursday, Christmas Day. As it stands, 50s are forecast most afternoons with continued dry conditions and mostly sunny skies. Many locations along and west of the Missouri River have a medium chance of surpassing 60 on Christmas day.Several records may end being broken. Below is the current forecast and associated records for Christmas day.

Omaha... Forecast: 58 Record: 57 (1946) Lincoln... Forecast: 64 Record: 65 (1889) Norfolk... Forecast: 63 Record: 63 (1963)

Needless to say, spending time outdoors enjoying the weather on Christmas is highly advised.

By next weekend, a pattern shift is anticipated. While specific details remain uncertain, a trough is forecast to move off the West Coast towards the Great Plains. This would offer at least a low chance of precipitation and a possible front. This front should lessen the anomalously warm weather, but this may be limited. A weak front would keep temperatures above normal even after this system. Snow is very unlikely with this warm weather pattern and any precipitation would be expected to fall as rain at this juncture. A return to winter-like weather does not appear likely until the new year at this rate.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1005 PM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

VFr conditions are likely through the TAF period. Light south winds overnight will increase with gusts at all sites starting between 15 and 18Z. Gusts will taper off after 23Z or so, with LLWS developing between 1500 and 2000 feet AGL where southwesterly winds will increase to 45-52 kts by 06Z, and likely become stronger after 06Z.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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