Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

935
FXUS63 KOAX 201721
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1121 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Additional light snow is possible (15-40% PoPs) late tonight
  through early Saturday morning in southeast Nebraska with only
  minor accumulations expected.

- Below-normal temperatures are forecast through the weekend as
  snowpack limits highs to the upper 20s to low 30s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1117 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Today through Saturday Morning...

Snowfall exited the forecast area early this morning. Highest
amounts ranged from 5" to 10", unfortunately centered along the I-80
corridor from Lincoln through Omaha and into western Iowa. Winds
weakened through the early morning, limiting travel issues from
blowing snow. Skies will continue to clear this morning and into the
afternoon, allowing sunshine to eat away at some of the freshly
fallen snow. However, the snow cover will work against temperatures
today, keeping highs down in the 20s and low 30s.

Cloud cover will increase across southeast Nebraska late this
afternoon and evening, ahead of a shortwave disturbance associated
with the main trough traversing the central CONUS. While not nearly
as impressive as the last round of snow, this disturbance will clip
the southern half of the forecast area, brining a 20-40% chance for
a dusting of snow to far southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
Expect snow to move into the Jefferson/Saline County region around
midnight tonight, and gradually dissipate as it shifts eastward.
Lingering snowfall will likely come to an end by 6 AM Saturday
morning. Again, overall amounts look light, likely 0.2" or
less.

The Weekend and Beyond...

Peeks of sunshine Saturday afternoon and Sunday should continue to
gradually eat away at some of our snowy blanket, but highs will
still be dragged down into the 20s and 30s. Clear skies won`t do us
any favors overnight, as lows are forecast to bottom out right
around 0 each morning.

Upper level ridging will become established over the Rockies late
this weekend 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 mid 50s, and possibly low 60s in a few spots, by mid
week. Presumably, this should melt off the remainder of our snow
pack.

The ridge will flatten out by mid to late week, bringing a brief dip
in temperatures and a low chance for precipitation late Wednesday,
before the ridge builds back in Thursday and Friday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1117 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Winds will remain
out of the northwest today and into Saturday. Speeds up to 12-14 kts
and occasional gusts up to 20 kts will be possible until 21Z. But,
overall, wind speeds are expected to diminish through the afternoon
and evening. Midlevel cloud cover will build back into southeast
Nebraska ahead of the next weather disturbance this evening. Light
snow will be possible over far southeast Nebraska tonight, with a 15-
20% chance for snow to reach KLNK between 06-08Z.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...KG
AVIATION...KG

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

967
FXUS63 KGID 201923
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
123 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light snow moves through the area this evening and tonight. A
  dusting is possible as far north as I-80, but highest totals
  (around 2") are favored in northern Kansas.

- A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 6pm this evening
  to 6am Saturday for Rooks, Osborne, and Mitchell Counties.

- Cooler-than-normal temperatures continue through Monday, then
  a significant warmup is expected for the rest of next week.

- Mostly dry conditions are expected next week with only a low
  chance (10-20%) for light precip (mainly rain) Wednesday into
  Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 123 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

After a mostly clear (but cold) day on Friday, a shortwave is
expected to bring snow to portions of the area this evening
through tonight. Near-term models have snow creeping into the
area around 6pm, with the majority of the snow ending by sunrise
on Saturday. The peak timeframe is roughly 10pm to 3am. CAMs
suggest that this may occur in one or more relatively narrow
bands, and there is some question on northward extent of
accumulating snow. But the overall consensus is that
northern/central Kansas has the best chance to see 1-2"+ of new
snowfall in at least some areas. As such, a Winter Weather
Advisory was issued for I-70 and the surrounding counties. Winds
will be relatively light, which will help mitigate the overall
impact.

Skies slowly clear on Saturday, keeping temperatures in the 30s
for most (possibly into the 40s in KS and far southern Neb).
Another shortwave then passes to our east, which will keep
temperatures on the colder side Sunday and Monday.

Ridging builds over the western CONUS on Monday, allowing for a
quick warmup on Tuesday. Lingering snowpack provides a little
uncertainty, but temperatures are favored to reach the 60s
across most of the area. Wednesday through next Friday are
expected to be similar. There is a low chance (10-20%) for
precipitation with a quick-moving shortwave Wednesday night into
Thursday, but ensembles (and the latest NBM) have backed off on
this potential somewhat.

Beyond that, at least a brief shot of colder air is expected as
we transition back to northwest flow next weekend, but there is
quite a bit of model spread when it comes to the
duration/intensity of this cold.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1103 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Mostly clear skies continue today with light northwest to north
wind.

Light snow is expected to move in from the west this evening,
but this will largely slide to the south of EAR/GRI. There is a
30-50% chance for a period of MVFR ceilings at EAR,
though...mainly 05-15Z.

Relatively light winds continue Saturday as skies gradually
clear out again.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
KS...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST
     Saturday for KSZ017>019.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Mangels
AVIATION...Mangels

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion