Omaha, NE – A significant winter storm is beginning to affect eastern Nebraska and western Iowa tonight, bringing freezing rain, sleet, and a transition to heavy snow that will create hazardous travel through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Omaha/Valley.
According to NWS forecasters, areas north of I-80 will remain cold enough for precipitation to fall primarily as snow. Locations along and south of the interstate — including Lincoln, Nebraska City, Beatrice, and Red Oak — will start as a wintry mix or freezing rain before changing over to snow overnight. A brief period of freezing rain is possible this evening, with up to 0.10–0.15 inches of icing along and south of I-80.
Forecasters warn that even light icing could cause sudden slick spots. Roads appearing wet may actually be icy, especially on untreated surfaces. Temperatures may briefly rise above freezing in far southeast Nebraska, but freezing rain is expected to transition back to snow overnight and continue into Saturday morning.
Snowfall amounts will range widely depending on temperature. The heaviest totals are expected north and east of Omaha, including Sioux City, Storm Lake, Wayne, Norfolk, and Carroll, where 8–15 inches are forecast. Omaha is currently projected to receive 4–8 inches, while Lincoln may see 2–5 inches. Just a degree warmer could sharply reduce totals near the rain–snow line.
By Saturday, increasing winds will cause blowing and drifting snow, making travel difficult to nearly impossible at times. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, with a Winter Weather Advisory farther south and west.
