textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Snow or a rain-snow mix overspreads much of the area overnight into Wednesday morning. Less than an inch accumulation at most locations with localized 1-2" amounts possible.

- Minor travel impacts are possible Wednesday morning, especially in northeast Nebraska.

- Warm, dry, and windy conditions are forecast Thursday, leading to potentially dangerous wildfire conditions. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued.

- Strong winds and some winter weather (50-70% PoPs) are expected to impact the region Saturday night into Sunday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1057 PM CDT Tue Mar 10 2026

Overnight and Wednesday:

A vigorous shortwave trough moving into the northern Plains this evening is forecast to undergo further intensification as it continues east through the north-central CONUS. Forcing for ascent associated with that feature has fostered the development of a broad band of light snow extending from western NE through southern/eastern SD into MN as 10 PM. The 00z CAMs suggest the snow band will gradually intensify as it moves southeast through the area overnight into Wednesday morning. Continued low-level cold advection coupled with latent cooling effects associated with the higher precipitation rates are expected to support a quicker changeover to snow in northeast NE, and a rain-snow mix transitioning to light snow early Wednesday morning as far south as I-80.

Most locations will see under an inch accumulation. However, localized corridors of 1-2" accumulations appear possible. The snow will combine with strong north winds with gusts of 25-35 mph to create minor travel impacts, especially in northeast NE Wednesday morning.

Precipitation ends from west to east Wednesday morning with clouds decreasing. Highs will top out mainly in the 40s with the winds gradually decreasing during the afternoon. Since precipitation is now expected to be more widespread overnight into Wednesday morning, and relative humidity slightly higher, wildfire potential may be lower than earlier anticipated.

Thursday and Thursday night:

Strong southwest winds develop in response to a vigorous shortwave trough moving along the international border. Gusts of 40-45 mph appear likely by afternoon as temperatures warm into the 60s to low 70s, and relative humidity falls to 15-20%. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Thursday afternoon and evening for potentially dangerous wildfire conditions.

Winds switch to northwest with gusts of 30-40 mph Thursday night with the passage of a front through the area.

Friday through Monday:

The primary feature of interest this period is a mid-level trough, which is forecast to intensify over the plains and Mississippi Valley Saturday night into Sunday. There are model differences in the specific characteristics of the trough and track of the surface low. Despite these differences, there is a consistent signal that it will be windy with some winter-weather possible (50-70% PoPs). Keep an eye on the forecast if you have travel plans.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1230 AM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026

Snow is approaching from the northwest, with MVFR ceilings trickling into all three TAF sites to start the period alongside gusty northerly winds to 20-25 kts. Expect these gusts to continue through 00z tomorrow evening, with the main updates to the TAFs being adjustments to the timing and exact level of visibilities/ceilings. Latest runs of the short-term models has any rain near the KOMA/KLNK areas to transition to snow a bit earlier than previous data, with visibilities to IFR or even LIFR at times being the result. Snow will linger past sunrise, clearing out at KOFK first (11z), the KLNK and KOMA last (14z) as the snow showers dissipate. From there, VFR conditions return between 14-18z depending on location, and winds become increasingly westerly and lighter after 00z.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Fire Weather Watch from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening for NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053- 065>068-078-088>093. IA...Fire Weather Watch from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening for IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091.