Lincoln, NE – Nebraska heads into the holidays under NOAA’s “equal chances” temperature outlook, but forecasters say the state should still prepare for periodic snow or mixed precipitation from December 20 through January 2. With Christmas and New Years inside this window, travel conditions may fluctuate across much of the state.
According to NOAA, Nebraska sits within a broad EC temperature region stretching from Oregon to New Jersey, giving temperatures equal odds of trending above or below normal. Even without a strong cold signal, Nebraska’s late-December climate often supports snow, particularly for central and northern counties.
Precipitation is also forecast in an equal-chances zone, suggesting near-normal moisture during the holiday period. At this time of year, near-normal precipitation typically means snow for northern and central Nebraska, while rain-to-snow or mixed precipitation is more common in the south. Several fast-moving systems may sweep across the Plains during the Dec. 20–Jan. 2 period, bringing opportunities for light to moderate snowfall.
Communities across Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, and North Platte should anticipate slick roads, reduced visibility, and shifting precipitation types through the holiday stretch. Northern areas—including O’Neill, Valentine, and the Sandhills—hold the strongest potential for accumulating snow and could be positioned for a White Christmas if colder air arrives at the right time.
Southern Nebraska, including Beatrice, Hastings, and McCook, may see more frequent mixing, but short cold snaps could still bring accumulating snow.
Travelers across I-80, Highway 30, and Highway 281 should monitor system-by-system forecasts as the holiday window approaches.
