Near-Blizzard Conditions Threaten Omaha Area This Sunday
A potent winter storm is poised to bring near-blizzard conditions to the Omaha, Nebraska, and surrounding areas this Sunday, prompting widespread advisories and warnings. Residents are urged to prepare for hazardous travel conditions, potential power outages, and dangerously cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory effective until midnight tonight for nearly all of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, with gusts potentially reaching 55 miles per hour. Simultaneously, a winter weather advisory is in effect from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM today for the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas, and much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Further north, a blizzard warning extends into south-central Minnesota.
According to Omaha’s Weather Leader, meteorologist Caitlin Harvey, the situation is evolving rapidly. “We’re waking up to low clouds, patchy fog, and rain,” Harvey reported. “Any moisture on the ground is likely to freeze, leading to slick conditions throughout the morning and afternoon.”
Temperatures are already plummeting across the region. As of Sunday morning, Omaha is experiencing 36°F, while Lincoln has dropped to 26°F. Further north, Norfolk is seeing snow with sustained winds of 26 mph and even stronger gusts. Visibility is significantly reduced in areas like Madison County, Iowa, where fog has lowered visibility to below one mile.
The primary concern is the combination of strong winds and falling snow. Blowing snow is expected to create near-blizzard conditions, even with relatively limited snowfall accumulation – potentially up to one inch. “Don’t get hung up on snow amounts with those gusts,” Harvey emphasized. “Today, up to 55 miles per hour blowing snow is going to be a huge issue.”
The hazardous conditions extend beyond travel. The strong winds pose a threat to trees, potentially causing downed limbs and isolated power outages. By this afternoon, temperatures are forecast to drop to 19°F, with wind chill values plummeting into the single digits.
The forecast calls for a transition from icing this morning to snow this afternoon, clearing out later in the day. Overnight, a low of 10°F is expected, with wind chill values potentially dropping below zero. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution if they must travel and to be prepared for potentially severe weather conditions.
KETV NewsWatch 7, with its team led by Chief Meteorologist Bill Randby and meteorologists Sean Everson and Luke Vickery, is committed to providing up-to-the-minute coverage and utilizing its exclusive live radar – offering a three-minute advantage in tracking storm movements – to keep the community informed and safe.
