Nebraska wakes to a brittle winter morning as arctic air settles over the Omaha metro. Frost coats car windows, breath hangs in the air, and the cold bites fast. Even brief exposure feels sharp as winds drain heat from skin before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service office in Omaha/Valley, bitter cold continues today across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Early temperatures sit near 3°F around Omaha, with wind chills approaching -10 to -20 degrees in exposed areas. Anyone heading out should limit time outside, cover exposed skin, and check vehicles before travel.
Road conditions remain generally dry, but the cold creates hazards of its own. Tires lose pressure, batteries weaken, and shaded pavement stays slick where moisture lingers. Drivers should allow extra warm-up time and keep winter emergency kits handy.
The cold eases gradually Monday as winds turn south. Sunshine helps temperatures recover into the lower 40s by afternoon. That warming accelerates Tuesday, when highs surge toward upper 40s to near 50°F across the Nebraska–Iowa border. The quick temperature swing may melt leftover ice during the day, then refreeze at night as lows dip near freezing, raising black ice concerns on bridges and ramps.
By midweek, mild December air holds with highs in the upper 40s and periodic breezes. While no snow is expected in the short term, the sharp warm-up is an early sign of winter volatility as holiday travel increases. Meteorologists note patterns remain active nationwide, and changes can arrive quickly later this week.
With the week before Christmas underway, residents should stay flexible. Dress for the cold today, plan for refreeze risk after warmer afternoons, and check on neighbors sensitive to extreme temperatures.
5-Day Outlook for Omaha, NE–Council Bluffs, IA:
• Today: Sunny, very cold, high near 21°F
• Monday: Sunny, high near 43°F
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 49°F
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 49°F
• Thursday: Sunny, breezy, high near 45°F
