Omaha, NE – Nebraska is positioned for a wetter and potentially wintry stretch during the Thanksgiving travel period, as new long-range federal outlooks show above-normal precipitation across the state from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, all of Nebraska lies within a 40–50% probability zone for wetter-than-normal conditions. The state also sits along the southern edge of a developing early-season cold pool covering the northern Plains, a setup that often produces mixed precipitation or wet snow when late-November systems pass through.
Eastern Nebraska—including Omaha, Lincoln, and the I-80 corridor—remains firmly in the elevated precipitation zone. Temperatures here may hover near the rain–snow line, meaning upcoming systems could bring cold rain, wet snow, or a slushy mix depending on timing.
Central and western parts of the state, including Grand Island, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, appear slightly closer to the colder air mass. These regions could see a higher likelihood of wet snow if storm tracks align favorably during the busiest travel days of the week.
While it’s too early to pinpoint totals or exact timing, even modest snow or cold rain can slow traffic significantly along I-80, which carries heavy Thanksgiving travel volume across Nebraska. Local and regional air travel may also experience delays if mixed precipitation reaches airports in Omaha or Lincoln.
Forecasters note that the general pattern is becoming clearer, but more precise details will emerge early next week once short-range models begin resolving individual systems.
Holiday travelers planning trips across Nebraska or heading toward Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, or Kansas should monitor updated forecasts as the Thanksgiving window approaches.
