Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

992
FXUS63 KOAX 300930
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
330 AM CST Fri Jan 30 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Lingering light snow this morning, mainly west of a line from
  Norfolk to Lincoln (20-30% chance). Accumulation under 0.5".

- Cold through Saturday, with highs in the teens today and
  Saturday morning wind chills from 10 to 20 degrees below zero.

- Additional snow Saturday afternoon into early Sunday could
  lead to a few slick spots (50-80% chance). Amounts mostly in
  the 0.5 to 1" range, though a few spots could see around 2".

- Warmer Sunday into next week with highs in the 30s and 40s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 330 AM CST Fri Jan 30 2026

Early morning analysis showed a surface front stalled out
across western NE, running southeast from roughly Chadron to to
McCook. Immediately to its east, some light snow was falling as
some shortwave energy was sliding through. Some of this could
clip far western portions of the forecast area this morning,
especially as another bit of shortwave energy starts to push in.
However, the aforementioned front will gradually push westward
today with strong, cold surface high pressure moving in quickly,
so any snow accumulation should be limited to a couple tenths
of an inch, mainly west of a line from Norfolk to Lincoln.
Otherwise, it`ll be a cold day with temperatures topping out in
the teens.

As the surface high moves over tonight, clearing skies and
light winds will allow temperatures to tank with lows Saturday
morning around -5 to 0 for most locations. Given the light
winds, wind chills should be around 5 to 10 degrees cooler than
actual air temperatures in most locations. However, a few spots
in northeast NE could see some slightly stronger winds as the
high pushes into KS Saturday morning, allowing wind chills to
approach -20. There was some consideration given toward a Cold
Weather Advisory for these areas, but with those wind chills
expected to be somewhat patchy and only a couple hours, elected
to hold off for now. We`ll have to see how things trend today.

Attention then turns to snow chances later in the day on
Saturday as a mid-level shortwave trough and surface low move
along the Canadian border and drag a warm front through the
area. There will be a lot of dry air to overcome given the cold
high in place just ahead of the front, but guidance is in good
agreement that we`ll see at least some light snow start to push
into northeast NE by mid-afternoon and push east across the area
Saturday night, largely exiting by 6 AM Sunday. Given the dry
air and fairly quick movement, snow amounts should be on the
lighter side, mostly 0.5-1", though a few spots could see around
1-2". It is worth noting that 00Z GEFS/EPS "switched" compared
to their 12Z runs, with GEFS now favoring slightly more snow
(30-60% chance of at least 1") and EPS backing off (less than
10% chance of at least 1"). All in all, give it about a 20-30%
chance for 1-2" in a given spot, highest in northeast NE and
west-central IA. Finally, guidance does hint at some potential
for freezing rain or event sleet to very briefly mix in on the
back side of the departing precipitation as warm air aloft
pushes in, but model soundings suggest precip will be quickly
coming to an end as that happens, so not currently expecting
much, if any, ice-related impacts.

Any snow that does fall should quickly melt as warmer weather
is on the way for Sunday into next week as upper level ridging
starts to push into the area. Expect highs in the 30s and 40s
through the week with a few pieces of guidance suggesting some
50s will be possible by the end of the work week. As far as
precip chances through the week, Tuesday night into Wednesday
currently looks like the best bet, though still only a 20%
chance. The general idea is that a weak northern stream
shortwave will slide through the area while southern stream wave
and surface low pass by just to our south, with one or both
possibly clipping us with some light snow. However, guidance is
in decent agreement that they become more phased up to our east
with more widespread precipitation favored for the eastern part
of the CONUS. That said, we`re still several days out, so
there`s still some differences in guidance that will need to be
worked out.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1000 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Light snow has moved into northeast Nebraska briefly, with
additional periods of light snow possible, mainly across east-
central Nebraska down through southeast Nebraska which could
impact KLNK. MVFR cigs now look to stay southwest of KOMA and
KOFK, mainly impacting KLNK overnight with the 30% chance for
occasional light snow. Winds overnight will remain light
generally out of the north. Expect increasing winds on Friday
with clearing skies into the afternoon. Clear skies hold
overnight with winds around 10-12kt through the evening.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...CA
AVIATION...McCoy

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

437
FXUS63 KGID 300913
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
313 AM CST Fri Jan 30 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- An area of light snow will continue to push SSE across the
  area during the day today, mainly during the morning-early
  afternoon hours. Snowfall accumulations are expected to be
  less than 1 inch.

- A cold front sinking SSW through the area today will usher in
  NNE winds, with gusts of 20-25 MPH not out of the question
  this afternoon. Temperatures for many spots won`t really go
  much of anywhere...highs expected to be in the teens in the
  NNE to mid 20s SW.

- Clearing skies, light winds and a colder airmass will allow
  for lows tonight to drop below zero. Wind chill values of -10
  to -20 will be possible late tonight-early Sat AM.

- Another disturbance pushing SE through the area will bring
  additional chances for light snow during the day on Saturday.
  Again notable accumulations are not expected, with totals less
  than 1 inch.

- Dry conditions and warmer temps return to start the new week,
  with highs Mon-Tue further into the 40s, and some 50s in the
  west.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 306 AM CST Fri Jan 30 2026

Currently through the daytime hours today...

Overall, been a quiet night across the forecast area...and
outside of a few breaks in cloud cover, skies are mostly
cloudy. Looking aloft, upper air and satellite data are showing
north-northwesterly flow in place across the region...set up
between weaker ridging along the West Coast, and low
pressure/troughing over eastern Canada/northeastern US. Radar
continues to show a swath of scattered light snow extending SW
out of western SD into NNWrn portions of NE and into portions of
our forecast area. A few of our automated sensors have reported
light snow at times, likely amounting to little if anything up
to this point. This snow is being driven by lift at the base of
troughing extending east roughly from the Nrn Plains through the
Great Lakes into the NErn CONUS. At the surface, currently have
light/variable winds at most locations...with a cold frontal
boundary sitting just NNE of the our forecast area across north
central/eastern NE.

For the rest of this morning on through the daytime hours
today...things will continue to be driven by this southward
sinking upper level disturbances, keeping the potential for
light snow around much of the day. The better chances will
gradually focus further south with time, by mid-late afternoon
have chances mainly along/south of a Lexington to Beloit
line...then ending by early evening. Not looking at any notable
accumulations, expecting less than 1 inch total. The sfc cold
front boundary will also be sinking south with time today, as
high pressure pushes south out of central Canada. This boundary
will usher in NNErly winds across the area, with speeds around
15 MPH, but gusts near 20-25 MPH are possible this afternoon.
Cold air advecting in with this front will keep temps from going
much of anywhere through the day...many (most?) locations may
be seeing their high for the days occur during the morning
hours. Forecast highs are in the mid-upper teens in the NNE to
mid 20s further SW.

Tonight through the weekend...

Expecting a lull in between disturbances this evening and
tonight, so the forecast remains dry. Main concern overnight
will be with temperatures and wind chill values. Later today, as
that disturbance/sfc boundary and snow chances sink south, so
will the greater cloud coverage...allowing for mostly clear
skies for most locations tonight. Models are showing the center
of the area of sfc high pressure currently over central Canada
sliding south right through central/eastern portions of the
forecast area...bringing light/variable winds, turning more
southerly as we get closer to sunrise Saturday. The combo of a
colder airmass, light winds, and little sky cover is expected to
bring low temperatures dropping below zero. Overall not much
change in wind chills tonight, with values around -10 to -20
possible. Values remain marginal for a formal Cold Weather
Advisory...and after collab with neighbors decided to hold off.
Main question marks lie with winds...the longer they remain
light/variable before increasing out of the south the
better...and across western areas that will have those
increasing southerlies first, models are showing increasing mid-
upper level cloud cover pushing in from the west...which could
steady-out/raise temps enough to keep wind chills up. Thought
it`d be best for the day shift to get another run of models to
further fine tune things.

During the daytime hours on Saturday, models showing another
upper level shortwave disturbance pushing southeast out of the
Nrn Rockies and onto the Plains...bringing additional show
chances to the forecast area. Not much change with models
showing this being another quick-hitting disturbance, with snow
totals again mainly under 1 inch. Temps will again be below
normal, with the forecast in the upper teens east to mid 20s
west.

Sunday brings upper level ridging working its way east through
the Rockies...keeping the forecast for the day dry, with
warmer temperatures in the mid 40s east to mid 50s west.

Monday on...

No notable changes made to the forecast for the new work
week...an overall dry week, with only precipitation chances
currently forecast coming Tue night into Wednesday. Forecast
highs are in the 40s-50s Mon-Tue, brief cooldown Wed into the
30s-40s, with mainly 50s for Thu-Fri.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 235 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

This afternoon/evening...

Temperatures are currently sitting in the 20s to 30s this afternoon.
A few lingering snow showers are dissipating across
southeastern portions of the area. A few additional snow showers
may develop/impact areas mainly along/north of Interstate 80
through the evening hours. Little if any accumulation (up to a
couple of tenths) is expected with these showers.

Tonight-Saturday...

Another round of snow showers/bands develops overnight across
northern Nebraska as troughing deepens over the central U.S. This
snow will enter northern portions of the area during the early
morning hours on Friday. Around sunrise, areas most favored to see
snow will be along and northeast of the Tri-Cities. Snow will
steadily shift southwest across the area Friday morning-
afternoon as an arctic high moves into the area. Any remaining
snow is favored to exit far southwestern portions of the area
during the late afternoon-early evening hours. Cloud coverage
and increasing cold air advection Friday afternoon will confine
highs to the teens (northeast) and 20s (southwest).

Skies clear and winds decrease Friday night-Saturday morning under
the high pressure system. This will result in favorable conditions
for temperatures to drop below zero Saturday morning. Light
winds should keep wind chills in the negative teens, and just
shy of "official" advisory criteria. Stronger winds look to
arrive in the mid-late morning hours, just past the coldest
temperatures and avoiding more frigid wind chills. Southerly
flow strengthens on Saturday ahead of an approaching clipper
system, allowing highs to reach the 20s despite the cold start.

As the clipper system moves into the area Saturday afternoon, it
will bring another chance for light snow to the area. This band of
snow will moves west to east across the area. There remains some
uncertainty in regards to how widespread and how far south this band
of snow develops. The 12z ECMWF shows a more robust band that
impacts all of our Nebraska counties and portions of north-central
Kansas, whereas the NAM and GFS keep snow across northern portions
of the area or even north of the area entirely. Either way, any snow
that falls in this band will be light, with accumulations generally
under an inch. Any lingering snow would exit eastern portions of the
area by the late evening hours.

Sunday Onwards...

Ridging builds over the Rockies and Plains on Sunday and Monday
allowing temperatures to climb above above normal, in the 40s and
50s. A passing disturbance brings a low (15-20%) chance for precip
on Tuesday, though the best chances look to be east of the area at
this time. Otherwise northwesterly flow-ridging is expected through
the end of the forecast period/end of next week. Highs will
generally be in the 40s and 50s, with lows in the 10s/20s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1127 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

MVFR and possibly IFR ceilings are expected to impact the area
by around 09z and continue until around 15z to 19z. Light snow
showers may impact the area overnight but the highest chance of
snow will be from 13z to 19z. The snow and low ceilings are
expected to be out of the area by 21z.

&&

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

&&

$$

UPDATE...ADP
DISCUSSION...Davis
AVIATION...Schuldt

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion