Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

687
FXUS63 KOAX 031958
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
158 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light snow and freezing drizzle is possible (15-25% chance)
  Wednesday morning, mainly across northeast Nebraska. Snow
  totals are expected to remain under 0.50" with a glaze of ice
  possible.

- Warmer temperatures arrive Thursday into next week, with highs
  generally in the mid 40s to mid 50s, though a few spots may
  hit the 60s.

- The prolonged stretch of warmer weather will increase the risk
  for river ice breakup and the potential for ice jams.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 153 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Tonight through Wednesday...

Water vapor imagery and objective analysis this afternoon depict
broad mid- to upper-level troughing across the eastern two-thirds of
the CONUS, while ridging continues to build into the western CONUS.
With a departing shortwave disturbance exiting to the southeast,
very light and patchy flurries and freezing drizzle remain possible
this afternoon, primarily along and south of the Interstate-80
corridor, with PoPs generally in the 10-15% range. Limited moisture
availability and a modestly dry sub-cloud layer should keep any
precipitation light enough to avoid meaningful impacts.

Attention then turns to a shortwave disturbance currently moving
into the Front Range, which will progress eastward into the region
tonight. This feature will allow a narrow swatch of vorticity to
move across the area Wednesday morning, bringing the next
opportunity for light precipitation. Current guidance suggests a
southwest-to-northeast oriented band of precipitation will enter
northeast Nebraska early Wednesday morning, with PoPs peaking in the
15-25% range due to the low QPF and spotty coverage of expected
precipitation.

Precipitation type will be somewhat uncertain. Model soundings
initially support light snow before saturation aloft decreases,
transitioning profiles toward light freezing drizzle as the lowest 1-
2 km remain saturated. The precipitation band is expected to move
through quickly and remain spotty in nature, with snowfall totals
likely remaining under one-half inch and only a light glaze of ice
possible. Despite the minimal expected accumulations, localized
slick spots may develop, particularly across northeast Nebraska
during the morning commute period. Precipitation coverage is
expected to decrease as the band shifts southeast along and south of
the Interstate 80 corridor and surface high pressure pushes in. Any
lingering snow or ice should diminish relatively quickly through the
day as temperatures warm, with afternoon highs forecast to reach the
mid 30s to low 40s.

Thursday and Beyond...

From Thursday into the weekend, upper-level ridging will support
temperatures warming to above seasonal norms. Thursday is expected
to be the warmest day of the week, with highs reaching the 50s for
most locations and the low 60s possible across portions of east-
central Nebraska. The warm afternoon will be coupled with
northwesterly winds gusts of 20-30 mph. An amplifying trough
moving into the Great Lakes region will push a cold front
through the area early Friday. Current guidance suggests the
frontal passage will remain dry. The post-frontal airmass will
drop highs into the mid 40s to mid 50s on Friday, still well
above average. Enhanced CAA behind the front will also bring
north-northwesterly wind gusts of 20-30+ mph through the
morning and early afternoon.

Temperatures through the weekend and into early next week are
expected to remain mild, generally ranging from the mid 40s to mid
50s, which is approximately 10 to 15 degrees above seasonal
averages. The primary concern through this period will be the
potential for ice jams as the prolonged warmer temperatures promote
continued weakening and breakup of river ice across the region.
Precipitation chances are expected to return by the middle of next
week as an upper-level trough displaces the ridge pattern. Long-
range guidance continues to show considerable variability regarding
the evolution of this pattern change, resulting in low confidence in
the timing and placement of precipitation during this extended
timeframe. Regardless, the warmer temperatures are expected to
persist. The CPC`s 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks continues to
indicate a 60-80% probability of above-normal temperatures.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1047 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

MVFR to IFR conditions persist late this morning. A few
scattered flurries will be possible into the early afternoon
(10% chance). Ceilings will be slow to improve through the
afternoon, with a brief period of VFR conditions expected after
03/00Z before another deck of MVFR ceilings pushes into the
area during the early morning hours, generally by 03/07-10Z.
This will be accompanied by another chance for light snow and
potentially light freezing drizzle through the morning hours.
The highest chance of seeing precipitation is KOFK (20% chance)
with lower chances (near 10%) at KOMA and KLNK. Precipitation
chances has not been included in the current TAF package due to
the low confidence in coverage.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Wood
AVIATION...Wood

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

328
FXUS63 KGID 032125
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
325 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light rain is expected this afternoon into this evening across
  western portions of the forecast area.

- Rain and snow are possible (less than 40% chance) tonight.
  Freezing drizzle may impact the area Wednesday morning.

- Some slick spots may develop on surfaces and roads late
  tonight into Wednesday morning.

- A warm-up is expected beginning Thursday with highs in the 50s
  and 60s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 323 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Today through Wednesday night...

A broad upper trough covers the eastern 2/3rds of the country with
an upper ridge over the West Coast. Northerly winds are across south
central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas. A surface
high is centered over Minnesota and extends southward to Texas. The
coldest temperatures across the area are generally along and east of
Highway 81 with the warmest temperatures along and west of Highway
183. Areas of rain may impact western portions of the forecast area
this afternoon into this evening. Another round of precipitation is
expected to move in from the north Wednesday morning. The
precipitation will likely mostly be in the form of snow early
Wednesday morning then transition to freezing drizzle/freezing rain
later in the morning as the dendritic grow zone becomes dry
with a saturated layer between 0 and -10 degrees C. The
precipitation is expected to end by early to mid Wednesday
afternoon. Little to no snow accumulation is expected (less than
1 inch). Some light ice accumulation is possible (up to 0.01
inches). Low temperatures tonight will be in the 20s. High
temperatures on Wednesday will range from the upper 30s to
around 50 degrees with northerly winds. Low temperatures
Wednesday night will be similar to the previous night.

Thursday through Monday...

The upper trough will be further east on Thursday with the upper
ridge over the Rocky Mountains. Northwesterly winds will be across
the area on Thursday with temperatures expected to warm up into the
50s and 60s. The warm-up will continue into Thursday night with lows
in the 30s. The upper ridge will begin to move into the Plains on
Friday with a surface high extending from the northern Plains/Upper
Midwest to Oklahoma. There is some uncertainty with high
temperatures on Friday due to boundary placement, but expect highs
to generally be in the 50s. The region will be on the backside of
the surface high Friday night with temperatures cooling into the 20s
across most of the area. Temperatures will warm up into the mid 50s
to mid 60s on Saturday as winds will mostly be out of the south.
Similar temperatures are expected on Sunday. A further warm up is
expected on Monday as winds increase out of the southwest. High
temperatures on Monday are expected to mostly be in the 60s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1137 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

While there is some uncertainty if VFR ceilings will briefly be
present this afternoon into this evening, expect ceilings to
mostly be MVFR until around at least 09z to 12z. IFR to MVFR
ceilings are expected beginning around 09z to 12z and will
continue until at least 16z. MVFR ceilings are expected from 16z
to 18z. Fog is possible from around 09z to 15z. Snow showers
are also possible from around 11z to 16z. Winds will mostly be
out of the northwest to north with some gusts possible this
afternoon. Winds are expected to weaken this evening and tonight
and become somewhat variable.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
KS...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Schuldt
AVIATION...Schuldt

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion