OMAHA, Neb. – The first true taste of winter is tightening its hold across the Nebraska–Iowa border this morning as cold air grips the region and gray skies stretch over the Missouri River. Wind chills hover in the single digits, and a dusting of snow could soon turn area roadways slick heading into the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley, a quick-moving disturbance will slide through late Saturday, bringing a mix of light snow and freezing drizzle from Lincoln through Council Bluffs and up toward Sioux City. Snowfall totals should remain around an inch for most areas, but even a thin coating may cause travel slowdowns — particularly on bridges and ramps along I-80 and I-29.
Temperatures will stay cold through Sunday, with highs near 20°F and gusty north winds creating subzero wind chills in open areas. The good news: skies will clear by Sunday afternoon as Arctic air settles in, paving the way for a frigid but calm start to the new week. Monday morning lows could dip below zero in rural parts of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, raising concerns for frozen pipes and icy patches on untreated surfaces.
Residents should prepare for slick roads late Saturday and early Sunday, allow extra driving time, and keep emergency supplies in vehicles. Meteorologists are also eyeing a possible return of light snow and a reinforcing shot of cold air for the central Plains between December 11 and 17 — a pattern that could complicate early holiday travel.
Are you seeing early snowflakes near Omaha or Council Bluffs? Share your local reports with weather spotters.
Five-Day Forecast for Omaha, NE (Carter Lake, IA):
Fri: 37/20 – Mostly sunny; calm but cold air lingers.
Sat: 33/15 – Cloudy; snow or wintry mix late, up to 1”.
Sun: 19/8 – Clearing skies; frigid wind chills near 0°.
Mon: 32/22 – Mostly sunny; gradual warming trend begins.
Tue: 41/30 – Partly cloudy; breezy and seasonable.
