Omaha, Nebraska – As Arctic air tightens its grip across the Central Plains through late January and into early February, Nebraska is facing a stretch of cold that becomes dangerous quickly, not just because of plunging temperatures, but because of persistent wind. Strong gusts sweeping across the Plains are accelerating heat loss, driving hazardous wind chill conditions statewide.
According to the National Weather Service, wind chill measures how quickly exposed skin loses heat when wind strips away the thin layer of warmth the body naturally produces. In Nebraska, where winter cold is rarely calm, that process happens fast. Even moderate wind speeds can make already frigid air feel brutally colder, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia within minutes.
Nebraska’s geography intensifies the threat. In eastern Nebraska, winds funneling along the Missouri River magnify cold in Omaha, Bellevue, and Council Bluffs, especially on bridges, riverfronts, and elevated roadways. Central Nebraska, including Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney, sees wind sweep unobstructed across open farmland, producing prolonged exposure during overnight and early morning hours. Farther west, the Sandhills and Panhandle experience some of the harshest conditions, where wide-open terrain allows Arctic air and wind to combine into extreme wind chills that linger for days at a time.
Wind chill does not freeze vehicles or pipes below the actual air temperature, but it freezes people faster. Exposed skin on hands, ears, noses, and faces can develop frostbite in as little as 10 to 15 minutes when wind chills plunge well below zero. Children, older adults, outdoor workers, and unhoused populations face elevated risk, and pets left outdoors can lose body heat rapidly despite thick fur.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, wear multiple insulated and wind-resistant layers, fully cover exposed skin, and check on neighbors frequently. With Arctic air expected to persist into early February, additional wind chill advisories and warnings are likely as dangerous cold conditions continue across Nebraska.
