Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

985
FXUS63 KOAX 290804
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
204 AM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light snow chances (20-50%) move in today through early
  Friday, with highest accumulations expected to peak around 1
  inch in northeast Nebraska.

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

- Additional light snow chances (40-60%) return late Saturday
  into Sunday, followed by a rebound toward near-normal
  temperatures by Monday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 158 AM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Today through Friday...

Northeasterly winds ushered cooler air into the region last night,
dropping temperatures into the low 20s. A shortwave disturbance
sliding southwest of the area this morning could bring us just
enough moisture and forcing to produce some light snow. However,
there remains quite a bit of dry air for snow to overcome before
reaching the surface. Overall snowfall forecast amounts remain
relatively unchanged, with a light dusting to 1 inch expected across
the majority of the forecast area. Higher amounts of 1-2" will be
possible across far northeast Nebraska where the more abundant
moisture and a weak frontogenesis band could potentially coincide.
Some locations, especially along and east of the Missouri River, may
only see a few flurries. Despite the low snow amounts, commuters
should be prepared for a few slick spots on untreated surfaces late
this morning through the afternoon.

A more robust trough will drop south out of the Great Lakes on
Friday, as a surface high builds into the northern Plains. This will
bring a resurgence of cold air back into the region and gradually
shunt moisture farther southwest. Expect flurries and light snow to
linger over western portions of the forecast area Thursday night
through Friday morning. Tonight, low temperatures are expected to
dip into the single digits, with wind chills in the negative single
digits and teens. Highs Friday afternoon will only reach the teens
above zero, with 5 to 15 mph winds making it feel more like +5 to -
5. Friday night will be even colder, with wind chills bottoming out
at -10 to -20.

Saturday through Sunday...

Temperatures will struggle to recover into the 20s Saturday
afternoon, as the trough over the eastern CONUS drifts coast-ward.

Another clipper-like system will draw a cold front through the
northern Plains this weekend, bringing another chance for light snow
Saturday into Sunday (20-40%). The EPS members continue to keep the
heavier snow across western Iowa with a handful of members ebbing
into northeast Nebraska. The GFS ensemble members remain more
unimpressed with the snowfall coverage. Either way, at the moment it
looks like any amounts we do get from this system would likely be
light, around 1" or less for the majority of the forecast area. For
now, will maintain 40-70% PoPs, with the best chances bring Saturday
night into early Sunday morning.

Temperatures rebound Sunday afternoon, as snowfall exits the area.
Highs are currently forecast to reach the mid 30s to low 40s.

Monday and Beyond...

Mid-level ridging builds back into the region to start the work
week, with highs on Monday and Tuesday expected to span the 30s. The
next upper level system moving through the middle of the week may
bring another chance for light precipitation, with PoPs in the 15-
30% range. Long-range guidance continues to show considerable spread
in the track and overall impact of this system, limiting forecast
confidence at this time.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1120 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

VFR conditions overnight with winds out of the northeast. Light
snow moves into northeast Nebraska Thursday morning around 10Z
and continue eastward to KOMA and KLNK by around 12Z. The
expanse of the light snow is somewhat in question with potential
for the band to initially set up south of KOFK and KOMA (30%
chance), keeping snow out until closer to 15-18Z. In either
case, once snow arrives, expect reduced vis and cigs. KOFK will
see cigs lower to around FL020, while cigs stay up around
FL030-FL035 at KOMA and KLNK. Light snow should decrease in
coverage around 18Z, but occasional light snow showers will
continue through Thursday night leading to brief periods of
reduced visibility. Expect primarily MVFR cigs to persist
overnight, though some models suggest improvement at KOMA on the
northern fringe of the band.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...KG
AVIATION...McCoy

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

356
FXUS63 KGID 290558
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1158 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Multiple rounds of light snow possible Thursday-Saturday. Most areas
  will see less than 1", with northeastern portions of the area
  having the highest chance to see over 1".

- Another frigid morning on Saturday, with temperatures below
  zero and wind chills in the -10s.

- Above normal temperatures Sunday Onwards, with highs in the
  upper 30s to low 50s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 221 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

This Afternoon/Tonight...

Temperatures this afternoon have a large spread from west to east
and where heavier snowpack still lingers, ranging from the low 30s
(east/snowpack) to the mid 50s (west). Cloud coverage will increase
overnight ahead of an approaching shortwave trough. Lows in the
teens are expected tonight. Patchy fog is possible across portions
of north central Kansas overnight, though dense fog appears unlikely
at this time.

Thursday Through Saturday...

As the shortwave trough moves into the Plains early Thursday
morning, it will bring a chance for light snow to the area. Snow is
likely to start during the early morning hours for areas north-
northeast of the Tri-Cities (Loup City-York). The most widespread
snow during the daytime hours on Thursday will be the mid-late
morning hours, with snow possible (15-50%) for areas roughly along
and northeast of the Tri-Cities. The afternoon-early evening looks
to have a relative lull in snow outside of far northern portions of
the area. Snow accumulations on Thursday remain light, with most
areas seeing less than an inch of snow, though far northeastern
portions of the area could see a little over an inch. Highs on
Thursday will range from the mid 20s (east) to the low 40s (west).

As troughing over the central/eastern deepens, it will bring another
round of snow to the area Thursday night-Friday along with a shot of
arctic air. A band of snow (20-60% PoPs) will shift from the
northeast to the southwest late Thursday night-Friday afternoon,
as an arctic high moves into the area. Similar to Thursday,
snow accumulations will be light, with most areas seeing less
than an inch of snow. Highs on Friday will be in the teens to
20s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area.

Skies clear and winds become light Friday night-Saturday morning
under the influence of the arctic airmass/high. This will allow
temperatures to drop below zero (forecast lows -4 to -8),
resulting in a frigid start to the day on Saturday. Wind chill
values will sink into the negative teens, though light winds
should limit how low wind chills are able to get. After sunrise,
southerly flow strengthens over the area on Saturday ahead of
the next shortwave trough, with highs in the 20s. The next
chance (15-45%) for light snow arrives Saturday evening/night
as a clipper system moves into the plains. Similar to
Thursday/Friday any snow accumulations will be under an inch.

Sunday Onwards...

Temperatures climb near to above normal Sunday onwards as upper
level ridging builds over the Rockies/Plains. Highs will be in the
upper 30s to low 50s with lows in the 10s/20s. A passing disturbance
within the broader ridging pattern looks to bring another chance for
light precipitation around the end of the forecast period, though
there remains a fair amount of model spread on the finer details.
Looking past the forecast period, the CPC 6-10 and 8-14 day
forecasts favor above normal temperatures and below normal
precipitation.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1134 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions will likely retain through at least 12z for KGRI
and at least 14z for KEAR. MVFR ceilings/conditions will stick
around for a majority of the time for the rest of the day/night
(60-80%), eventually becoming IFR conditions closer to 4z.
Light snow will be possible in and out across the afternoon and
evening hours, though accumulations will not be expected to
exceed 1". Winds will remain light and variable through the
period.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Davis
AVIATION...Stump

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion