OMAHA, Neb. – A hard, biting wind cuts across the Missouri River this morning as one of the season’s sharpest cold snaps settles over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Frost coats windshields, the air feels raw, and the sound of flapping flags tells the story—winter’s first serious chill has arrived.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley, Arctic air continues spilling into the region, sending temperatures plummeting into the teens and 20s with wind chills near or below zero early Monday. The strongest gusts will push across open fields and interstates, creating biting crosswinds along I-80, Highway 75, and rural routes near Fremont, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln. Drivers heading to early shifts or Veterans Day preparations should dress in layers and allow for slower starts as frost thickens on windshields.
Despite the deep freeze, skies remain clear through midweek, allowing sunshine to ease the chill slightly by Tuesday. Veterans Day itself brings a welcome rebound, with highs in the low 60s and calmer breezes for parades, school events, and outdoor tributes.
The late-week trend looks even milder—temperatures near 65 by Thursday may feel like a completely different season. Still, long-range models hint that this early November chill won’t be the last, with another possible Arctic push before Thanksgiving. For now, the metro’s first true cold blast serves as a brisk reminder to winterize vehicles, wrap exposed pipes, and pull in garden hoses—because the Great Plains winter clock has officially started ticking.
Five-Day Forecast for Omaha, NE:
Sun: 33/20 – Breezy; mostly sunny, bitter wind chill.
Mon: 39/30 – Sunny; frigid start, brisk northwest wind.
Tue (Veterans Day): 63/38 – Mostly sunny; milder, light south breeze.
Wed: 60/39 – Sunny; pleasant late-fall warmth.
Thu: 64/40 – Partly cloudy; mild stretch continues into Friday.
