Expires:No;;075186
FXUS63 KOAX 092103
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
303 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Low chance (20 to 40%) for rain/light snow across southeast
  Nebraska and southwest Iowa tonight.

- Snow showers (30 to 50% chance) during Saturday afternoon
  across much of the area. Gusty northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph
  will lead to visibility reductions with snow showers.

- Warm temperatures in the 40s and 50s expected for the first
  half of next week. Precipitation chances (15 to 30%) return
  for the second half of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 302 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

Remainder of Today into Tonight

The plentiful sunshine that started the day is quickly coming to an 
end as out next weather system approaches the region. Otherwise, it 
was a pretty seasonal day in the 30s and 40s. High clouds will 
continue to overspread the area into this evening as a shortwave 
trough lifts northeast from the southern Great Plains. This 
shortwave remains mainly south of the region tonight, but portions 
of southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa may be clipped. There 
remains a low (20-40%) chance of light rain and snow across these 
areas. Precipitation will be light, so little to no accumulation is 
expected.

Saturday 

A somewhat complex forecast arrives on Saturday. A stronger 
shortwave deepens and merges with Friday's system over the Upper 
Midwest. As this occurs, a tightening pressure gradient results in 
gusty winds into the afternoon. This deepening system pushes a 
reinforcing cold front through the region also. Lapse rates should 
be fairly steep along and ahead of the front with enough moisture to 
help generate snow showers across northeast Nebraska. Snow showers 
will continue to sag southeast with the front through the afternoon. 
Any showers weaken and dissipate by evening across southern portions 
of the area. The best chance for snow will be focused over northeast 
and west-central Nebraska, but a low chance of light snow can be 
expected elsewhere. With winds gusting to 25 to 35 mph, any snow 
showers will cause visibility reductions. Near white-out conditions 
could materialize in the heaviest snow showers along with a quick 
dusting of snow. Slick spots may also develop with the fluffy nature 
of the snow, easily allowing for blowing snow across area roads. A 
snow squall can not be ruled out as well (10-20% chance). Total snow 
amounts are expected to be light. 

Travel impacts are not going to be constant, but may rapidly change 
with the passage of the cold front from north to south through the 
afternoon on Saturday. Leave extra time to get to your destination 
and slow down in snow showers if you have travel plans on Saturday.

Outside of snow, temperatures will remain near and below freezing 
for most of the region.

Sunday into Next Week

By Sunday, surface high pressure should already be moving off to the 
east allowing for the return of southerly winds. Temperatures are 
expected to warm up accordingly. Temperatures in the 40s will 
quickly melt off any lingering snow with sunny and dry conditions 
through the afternoon. To start the first half of next week, modest 
mid-level ridging helps to push temperatures back above normal. 
Widespread 50s to as high as the low 60s overspread the region 
Monday and Tuesday. A shortwave trough deepens over the Upper 
Midwest by Tuesday afternoon. A cold front will move through the 
region because of this, but temperatures remain warm despite the 
front. That said, gusty northwest winds are likely behind the cold 
front. The colder airmass finally overspreads the region by 
Wednesday, but afternoon temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s 
are still anticipated. There is a chance of rain and snow with the 
front as well, but confidence is low at this time (10-20% chance). 
Another system quickly arrives heading into Thursday and Friday, 
increasing precipitation chances further. A 15-35% chance of rain 
and snow is currently forecast for the second half of next week. 
Temperatures remain cooler, similar to Wednesday, as well.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1117 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the period. North
winds will continue through this afternoon, but speeds may
increase slightly. Winds weaken and shift towards the northwest
tonight. High clouds move through the region later this
afternoon through tonight between 12-25 kft. This is in 
association with a passing disturbance to the south of the 
region. Any rain or snow with this system is expected to remain 
well south of all terminals.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Chehak
AVIATION...Chehak