Headlights glow through a gray blur this morning as dense fog blankets eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, cutting visibility and slowing holiday travel.
According to the National Weather Service in Omaha, areas of dense fog are expected through Christmas morning, with patchy fog elsewhere across the region. Visibility drops quickly in fog-prone corridors, especially along Interstate 80 and Highway 75, where sudden slowdowns are likely.
The air feels damp and unusually mild, with temperatures climbing into the low 50s today and near 50 degrees on Christmas Day. That warmth keeps roads wet rather than icy for now, but fog remains the primary hazard. Drivers may not see stopped traffic until the last second.
Meteorologists say fog becomes more widespread into Christmas, increasing travel impacts during peak holiday driving hours. Plan extra time, use low-beam headlights, and expect changing conditions mile to mile.
After Christmas, the pattern flips. Sunshine and near-60-degree warmth arrive Friday, offering a brief break for post-holiday errands and travel. Saturday stays mild but breezy, with highs near 61 degrees.
Then winter snaps back.
By Sunday, a strong cold front sweeps through, dragging temperatures down into the low 30s with gusty northwest winds. Any lingering moisture on roads may flash freeze after sunset, creating slick spots on bridges and overpasses. While snow chances remain limited, blowing winds and falling temperatures raise concerns for late-weekend travel.
This rapid warm-to-cold swing is classic late-December trouble. Fog, wet pavement, and freezing temperatures often cause more crashes than snow itself.
Slow down. Stay alert. Winter is waiting just beyond the fog.
📅 Five-Day Outlook — Omaha, NE / Council Bluffs, IA
- Today: Mostly cloudy, dense fog. High near 52°F
- Christmas Day: Areas of fog, mostly cloudy. High near 50°F
- Friday: Sunny and warm. High near 59°F
- Saturday: Partly sunny, breezy. High near 61°F
- Sunday: Blustery and colder. High near 31°F
