Omaha, Nebraska – A significant mid-February warm-up is expected across Nebraska, with temperatures forecast to run 10 to 20 degrees above normal from Feb. 16–20, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day temperature outlook shows a strong signal for above-normal temperatures statewide, including Omaha and Lincoln. Probabilities for warmer-than-average conditions exceed 60 percent, indicating a high-confidence shift away from typical winter conditions.
Under normal circumstances, mid-February highs across Nebraska typically range from the upper 20s to mid-30s. During this warm stretch, daytime temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 40s, 50s, and even lower 60s, particularly across eastern and southern portions of the state. Western Nebraska is also expected to see a noticeable departure from seasonal averages.
This warming trend is part of a broader weather pattern affecting much of the central and eastern United States. Across the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, temperatures are forecast to surge into the 50s and 60s, reinforcing what forecasters often describe as a late-winter “spring tease.”
Precipitation outlooks indicate near to slightly above-normal precipitation across Nebraska during this timeframe. Combined with rising temperatures, melting snowpack and rainfall could lead to localized ponding, river rises, and minor flooding, especially in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.
Forecasters emphasize that this outlook reflects large-scale climate probabilities, not a day-to-day forecast. Colder air can still return later in February, and residents are encouraged to monitor local forecasts for updated details.
For commuters, students, and agricultural workers, the warmer stretch may provide brief relief from winter cold, though rapidly changing conditions remain possible.
