Nebraska – Wind cuts across open fields and rattles road signs this morning as Arctic air tightens its grip on eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The cold is sharp and immediate, the kind that stings exposed skin and drains car batteries fast during a busy holiday travel week.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha, temperatures hovered near 10 degrees early Monday, with northwest winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph. Those winds are driving wind chills down to between 5 and 15 degrees below zero through the morning hours, especially along the Omaha–Council Bluffs corridor.
Commuters across Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, Council Bluffs, and Carter Lake are feeling the impact. Travel remains mostly dry, but brief flurries and blowing dusted snow could reduce visibility at times on I-80, I-29, and Highway 75. Cold pavement increases the risk of isolated slick spots on bridges and ramps.
By this afternoon, winds slowly ease, though highs struggle to climb out of the lower 20s. Tonight stays cold, with lows near the mid-teens. Anyone traveling late should plan for frigid conditions if stopped for any reason. Keep extra layers, gloves, and emergency supplies handy.
The pattern turns more forgiving as the week progresses. Sunshine returns Tuesday with highs near 40, followed by milder air Wednesday and Thursday. New Year’s Eve looks quiet, and New Year’s Day 2026 appears partly sunny, though still chilly, with highs near 30. No significant snow is expected locally, but freeze-thaw cycles could refreeze moisture after dark.
This is a classic Plains cold snap, brief but intense. Limit time outdoors this morning, check vehicles before traveling, and watch pets closely. How cold did it feel where you stepped outside today?
Five-Day Outlook for Omaha, Nebraska–Iowa Metro
Monday: Windy and bitter cold, high near 23
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 41
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 43
Thursday (New Year’s Day): Partly sunny, high near 30
Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 36
