Omaha, NE – A messy Fall storm is spreading across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa this evening, delivering a shifting mix of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow that will transition to all snow overnight, sharply worsening travel through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service Omaha/Valley office, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through midnight Saturday night for Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Lancaster, Saunders, Butler, Madison, Boone, Platte, Otoe, Saline, Johnson, Nemaha, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page counties. Snow totals across the region will vary from 2 to 6 inches, with up to a tenth of an inch of ice possible, especially early in the event. Knox and Pierce counties could see 3 to 7 inches with stronger blowing snow. Winds will gust to 40 mph at times, dropping visibility sharply in open country.
According to Nebraska DOT, early freezing drizzle is already glazing bridges and overpasses along I-80, US-75, and NE-50, with heavier snow expected to cover roads after midnight. Crews warn that mixed precipitation will limit pretreatment effectiveness, and blowing snow Saturday will undo plow progress. Drivers should reduce speed, avoid sudden stops, and check 511 for updated travel conditions across Nebraska and Iowa.
According to emergency managers in Sarpy and Cass counties, minor powerline icing cannot be ruled out overnight. Residents should charge phones, keep emergency kits in vehicles, and delay non-essential travel until snowfall rates ease late Saturday. Sidewalks, porches, and rural driveways may glaze quickly, increasing fall risk.
Snow and blowing snow will continue into Saturday evening with only gradual improvement after dark.
