Streetlights flicker against a restless sky over Omaha this morning, a calm that won’t last long. The National Weather Service warns of strong winds and the season’s first wintry mix moving into Nebraska and western Iowa by midweek — a reminder that winter is officially tightening its grip on the Plains.
According to the NWS Omaha/Valley office, a Wind Advisory is now in effect for east-central Nebraska and west-central Iowa, including Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs. Winds from the northwest could gust between 40 and 50 mph late Tuesday through early Wednesday morning. High-profile vehicles may face travel difficulties on I-80 and I-29, especially across open stretches of highway.
By Wednesday night, colder air will filter in behind the front, bringing a 30–50% chance of light snow across northeast Nebraska and into western Iowa. Accumulations should remain light, but the combination of snow bursts and blowing wind could reduce visibility and create slick travel conditions into Thursday morning.
Temperatures will then drop sharply into the weekend, with highs near 30°F by Friday and morning lows dipping into the single digits. Wind chills may fall below zero early Saturday — the coldest air so far this December. Meteorologists say another clipper system could approach late in the weekend, bringing additional flurries and reinforcing the chill.
Five-Day Outlook for Omaha, NE / Council Bluffs, IA
- Wednesday: Windy, high 35°F, low 24°F.
- Thursday: Partly cloudy, high 37°F, low 21°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high 28°F, low 11°F.
- Saturday: Chance of snow, high 22°F, low 7°F.
- Sunday: Sunny but cold, high 23°F, low 17°F.
