textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Dense fog is expected to re-develop this evening/tonight in western Iowa and areas along the Missouri River.

- Rain, rain changing to snow, and snow are expected beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday. Accompanied by strong winds and plunging temperatures, there are some concerns about travel due to the potential for some lowered visibilities and slick spots on roads.

- Frigid temperatures are expected Monday morning, with lows in the single digits and teens and sub-zero wind chills.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 304 PM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

Visible satellite imagery shows some upper level clouds streaming southwest to northeast across Nebraska and Iowa this afternoon. Although somewhat obscured in spots by the higher level clouds, fog can also be seen over the Omaha Metro south to Falls City, and across the border into western Iowa. Fog will persist across the region this afternoon and evening, with dense fog again possible overnight. A Dense Fog Advisory will be in effect for western Iowa and our Nebraska counties along the Missouri River.

Heading into tonight, a closed low over Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Dakotas will progress eastward toward the Great Lakes. A cold front will slide southeast overnight, bringing in strong winds (gusts 40-50 mph) and the potential for precipitation. There are two areas we are keeping an eye out on for the evening hours into tonight. The first will be an area mainly south of Interstate 80, where rain will develop. Temperatures should remain warm enough for the p-type to remain as rain through the overnight hours.

The second area of precipitation will be behind the front up in northern Nebraska. Rain will transition over to snow, with a possible brief period of sleet or a freezing wintry mix. Little to no ice accumulation is possible. As we transition to snow, winds will be gusty, bringing some concerns that the combination of falling snow and strong winds will cause some visibility issues, especially for travelers driving into the wind. With the warmer temperatures, we do not have any snow currently on the ground for the wind to blow around. The visibility concerns will be tied to falling snow being blown around as it comes down. As a result of that and concerns with holiday travel, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for a portion of the day Sunday. A Wind Advisory has also been issued for the entire forecast area for Sunday with winds gusting to 40-50+ mph. As far as accumulations are concerned, northeastern Nebraska could see a dusting to around 2.5 inches of snow. Areas south of a line from Harlan to Columbus may receive up to around an inch of snow. Little to no ice accumulation is expected. However, with the precipitation that does fall and temperatures falling through the day, there will be a possibility for some slick surfaces.

Sunday night, lows will bottom out in the single digits for northern Nebraska and portions of western Iowa. Areas along and south of a line from David City to Omaha will fall into the 10-13 degree range. Sustained northwest winds will be around 20-35 mph during the overnight hours. The combination of windy conditions and cold temperatures will result in sub-zero wind chills across the region. Wind chills as low as 17 below zero will be possible.

Monday, the closed low continues to move east across the Great Lakes. A fairly tight pressure gradient will linger over the Great Plains through Monday morning. Winds will begin to decrease in the afternoon. Expect high temperatures to struggle into the teens and 20s with wind chills in the single digits and teens above zero.

Warmer air moves into the region Tuesday as we come under northwest flow with a ridge over the western CONUS. Expect highs to rebound into the 30s along and east of the Missouri River and low to mid-40s for much of eastern Nebraska. Slightly warmer weather is expected Wednesday, with highs reaching the upper 30s to upper 40s.

A mid-level shortwave trough moves through the region Wednesday night/Thursday. Cooler air will move in with highs down to the 30s for most of the area. For the moment, the forecast is currently looking dry for our area. The extended forecast shows dry conditions and slightly warmer temperatures heading into next weekend.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1135 PM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

A strong cold front is still expected to move through the area overnight, reaching KOFK at 08z, KLNK 10z, and KOMA 11z. Light north winds will persist ahead of the front with visibilities of 1-3sm in fog at KOMA and KLNK, leading to IFR to LIFR conditions. Winds switch to northwest behind the front at 25-30 kt with gusts of 35-45 kt. Light rain develops ahead of the front at KOMA and KLNK by 08z with snow developing at KOFK by about 10z. Rain transitions to a wintry mix of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow between 12z-15z at KOMA and KLNK before ending by around 18z. Prevailing IFR conditions are anticipated during the period of heaviest precipitation. Winds gradually diminish Sunday evening.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Dense Fog Advisory until 5 AM CST Sunday for NEZ015-018-033- 034-044-045-051>053-067-068. Wind Advisory from 3 AM Sunday to midnight CST Sunday night for NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053-065>068- 078-088>093. Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 2 PM CST Sunday for NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>044. Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM to 2 PM CST Sunday for NEZ045-050>053-065>068-078. IA...Dense Fog Advisory until 5 AM CST Sunday for IAZ043-055-056- 069-079-080-090-091. Wind Advisory from 3 AM Sunday to midnight CST Sunday night for IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091. Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 2 PM CST Sunday for IAZ043. Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM to 2 PM CST Sunday for IAZ055-056-069-079-080-090-091.