Weather
Nebraska Thanksgiving Travel: Snow, Ice Concerns Nov. 18–24
Omaha, NE – Thanksgiving travelers across Nebraska could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about developing
By Nolan Pierce · 2026-11-11T05:32:12.560Z
Omaha, NE – Thanksgiving travelers across Nebraska could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about developing winter storms, snow, freezing rain and potentially icy highways during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across Nebraska and much of the central Plains from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The outlook highlights a widespread wet pattern extending from the western United States through the central Plains and Midwest. Portions of the central Plains reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, placing Nebraska within the broader region of heightened precipitation potential.
Omaha, Bellevue and Eastern Nebraska Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, Fremont and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather as the precipitation pattern develops.
Travelers along Interstate 80, Interstate 680 and Interstate 29 near the Iowa border should monitor forecasts for rain, snow or mixed precipitation if colder air arrives.
Lincoln, Beatrice and Southeastern Nebraska Lincoln, Beatrice, Nebraska City and surrounding communities are also included in the wetter than normal outlook.
Developing storm systems could bring periods of rain, with snow, sleet or freezing rain becoming concerns if temperatures fall sufficiently during precipitation.
Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 77 will be important corridors to monitor.
Grand Island, Kearney and Central Nebraska Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and York could experience changing weather conditions during the November 18–24 period.
Winter precipitation could become a travel concern if storm systems encounter colder temperatures, particularly along Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 281.
North Platte, Scottsbluff and Western Nebraska North Platte, Ogallala, Scottsbluff, Sidney and surrounding western Nebraska communities could face rain or snow depending on storm tracks and temperatures.
Western Nebraska's higher elevations may be more favorable for snowfall if sufficiently cold air overlaps with precipitation.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Winter Storms Develop? The increased precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about possible winter weather disruptions across Nebraska.
Although NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the central Plains, colder periods could still support accumulating snow or freezing precipitation.
The 8–14 day outlook measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the likelihood of a specific winter storm or ice storm.
With November 18–24 extending into the beginning of Thanksgiving week, Nebraska travelers should monitor updated forecasts for storm timing, snowfall potential, temperatures and highway conditions.