Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

669
FXUS63 KOAX 211824
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1224 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- The cold air will stick around through the start of next week,
  with highs in the 20s and 30s. Wind chills could dip to -5 to
  -15 Sunday and Monday mornings.

- A mid-week storm system will bring our next opportunity for
  precipitation, with a 20-40% chance for rain and snow.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1220 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

Today through Monday...

A weakening shortwave passed to our south last night, bringing light
snowfall to parts of the Central Plains. Very few flakes managed to
actually reach the surface over southeast Nebraska, after succumbing
to dry air. Low temperatures dipped into the single digits over
northeast Nebraska, and teens over southeast Nebraska and southwest
Iowa.

Peeks of sunshine today and clear skies Sunday through Monday should
continue to help gradually eat away at some of our snow cover.
However, the high albedo of the remaining snow will also work
against temperatures, dragging highs down into the 20s. The clear
night skies also won`t do us any favors, as lows are forecast to
bottom out around +5 to +10 Sunday morning, and -5 to +5 on Monday
morning. Winds will increase to 10 to 15 mph early Sunday, with a
few gusts up to 20 to 30 mph mixing down. The cooler temperatures
combined with the northerly winds will make it feel like -5 to -15
both mornings.

Tuesday and Beyond...

Upper level ridging will become established over the Rockies today
and into early next week. This will allow for the return of dry
weather and the above normal temperatures that we`ve become
accustomed to. Highs will transition from the 20s/30s on Monday to
the 40s and 50s by mid-week. Cooler temperatures will likely prevail
over locations with lingering snowcover. But, presumably, this
should melt off the majority of our snow pack by the end of the
week.

The ridge is forecast to flatten out Wednesday into Thursday, as a
shortwave ripples through. This feature could bring us a small
chance (20-40%) for rain and snow Wednesday afternoon into early
Thursday. Otherwise, northwesterly flow should keep temperatures
above normal through the end of the work week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1107 AM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Winds will remain
light and northerly today, before increasing out of the
north/northwest, by 12Z Sunday. Speeds of 12-15 kts, and
occasional gusts as high as 20-30 kts will be possible tomorrow
morning through the afternoon.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...KG
AVIATION...KG

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

486
FXUS63 KGID 211944
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
144 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Cool and dry conditions are expected through Monday.

- A significant warmup arrives Tuesday and lasts through the
  rest of the workweek.

- Light precipitation (mainly rain) is possible (30-40% chance)
  Wednesday into Wednesday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 144 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

Scattered cumulus persists over central portions of the area,
but there is still enough sun to quickly melt much of the snow
that fell over northern Kansas Friday night. Skies will clear
tonight, and temperatures will dip into the single digits and
teens by Sunday morning (coldest in northern snow-covered
areas).

Sunday will be similar to today, but with a big stronger north-
northwesterly winds. Eastern areas could see gusts near 25 MPH
as a shortwave passes to our to our east. Sunday night is
anticipated to be the coldest night of the week as surface high
pressure builds into the area. Lows in the single digits are
expected for most of the are, and some areas could see subzero
temperatures to start the day on Monday.

Monday trends a bit warmer as ridging builds over the west, and
this warmup will kick into high gear with the arrival of
westerly surface winds on Tuesday. Above-normal temperatures
(highs in the 50s and 60s) then continue through the end of the
workweek. This warmth could result in a heightened fire weather
threat, although this will be heavily dependent upon the
magnitude of winds...which is still somewhat uncertain.

There is still a chance for precipitation as a shortwave moves
northwest to southeast across the area Wednesday and Wednesday
night. Snow cannot be completely ruled out, but most ensembles
keep us warm enough for this to fall as mostly rain. And QPF
amounts are not overly impressive...the 13Z NBM only shows a
~20% chance to see 0.10" of liquid.

Global ensembles continue to hint at another shot of cold air,
along with a chance for wintry precipitation next weekend and
into the following week (Feb 28 to Mar 2nd timeframe), but
details on this remain very uncertain.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1054 AM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

FEW-SCT midlevel clouds will continue to move through the area
early this afternoon, but VFR conditions are favored to prevail.
Skies clear this evening into tonight.

Winds will be out of the north-northwest through the period,
with gusts 15-20kts arriving on Sunday.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Mangels
AVIATION...Mangels

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion