textproduct: Omaha/Valley

KEY MESSAGES

- Additional light snow is possible (15-40% PoPs) late tonight through early Saturday morning in southeast Nebraska with only minor accumulations expected.

- Below-normal temperatures are forecast through the weekend as snowpack limits highs to the upper 20s to low 30s.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1117 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Today through Saturday Morning...

Snowfall exited the forecast area early this morning. Highest amounts ranged from 5" to 10", unfortunately centered along the I-80 corridor from Lincoln through Omaha and into western Iowa. Winds weakened through the early morning, limiting travel issues from blowing snow. Skies will continue to clear this morning and into the afternoon, allowing sunshine to eat away at some of the freshly fallen snow. However, the snow cover will work against temperatures today, keeping highs down in the 20s and low 30s.

Cloud cover will increase across southeast Nebraska late this afternoon and evening, ahead of a shortwave disturbance associated with the main trough traversing the central CONUS. While not nearly as impressive as the last round of snow, this disturbance will clip the southern half of the forecast area, brining a 20-40% chance for a dusting of snow to far southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Expect snow to move into the Jefferson/Saline County region around midnight tonight, and gradually dissipate as it shifts eastward. Lingering snowfall will likely come to an end by 6 AM Saturday morning. Again, overall amounts look light, likely 0.2" or less.

The Weekend and Beyond...

Peeks of sunshine Saturday afternoon and Sunday should continue to gradually eat away at some of our snowy blanket, but highs will still be dragged down into the 20s and 30s. Clear skies won't do us any favors overnight, as lows are forecast to bottom out right around 0 each morning.

Upper level ridging will become established over the Rockies late this weekend and into early next week. This will allow for the return of dry weather and the above normal temperatures that we've become accustomed to. Highs will transition from the 20s/30s on Monday to the mid 50s, and possibly low 60s in a few spots, by mid week. Presumably, this should melt off the remainder of our snow pack.

The ridge will flatten out by mid to late week, bringing a brief dip in temperatures and a low chance for precipitation late Wednesday, before the ridge builds back in Thursday and Friday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1117 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Winds will remain out of the northwest today and into Saturday. Speeds up to 12-14 kts and occasional gusts up to 20 kts will be possible until 21Z. But, overall, wind speeds are expected to diminish through the afternoon and evening. Midlevel cloud cover will build back into southeast Nebraska ahead of the next weather disturbance this evening. Light snow will be possible over far southeast Nebraska tonight, with a 15- 20% chance for snow to reach KLNK between 06-08Z.

OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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