Significant winter storm to bring blizzard conditions to Nebraska on Christmas

The first part of a significant system is ongoing this morning. Rain and a few rumbles of thunder are happening now across eastern Nebraska while out west, light snow is falling.

The cold air eventually brings a transition to a mix and snow for eastern Nebraska by late Sunday into early Monday (Christmas Eve into Christmas Day).

First, here’s what the rest of Sunday will look like. Stormcast has rain and snow tapering off by Sunday evening, with hints at light freezing rain possible next late Sunday night around midnight Monday for a few hours.

The second part will bring heavy snow to Nebraska starting up especially Monday morning, tapering off throughout the day on Tuesday. The latest winter weather headlines as of Sunday morning included:

• PURPLE – Winter Weather Advisory (western Nebraska) continues through Sunday evening for light snow and winds up to 50 mph
• RED – Blizzard Warning (central Nebraska) will go into effect by midnight Monday through 6 a.m. Wednesday for several inches of snow and winds up to 55 mph
• BLUE – Winter Storm Watch (southeast/south Nebraska) for the same timeframe as the Blizzard Warning, but less snow expected and wind gusts up to 45 mph

A Blizzard Warning is issued for winter storms with sustained winds of 35 mph or higher with considerable falling/blowing snow that frequently reduces visibility to 1/4 of a mile or less. These conditions are expected to prevail for a minimum of three hours.

Models have come to agree that significant snow is likely across Nebraska during Christmas Day, making travel at times very difficult if not impossible. By midnight Monday, precipitation redevelops over eastern Nebraska as light freezing rain and snow.

The snow is expected to pick up on Monday and continue through Tuesday as this system spins overhead. Winds are expected to be lighter with the snow in southeast Nebraska, while central and north Nebraska will see difficult or impossible travel conditions.

Wind will likely cause blowing snow and blizzard conditions especially concerning snowfall Monday into Monday night. Gusty winds into Tuesday are expected to lead to blowing/drifting snow and reduced visibility.

Most of the snow will fall on Christmas Day, with the potential for a lot of snow across eastern Nebraska. Snow amounts and travel impacts are expected to increase Christmas Day. Totals through Tuesday will especially add up in northeast and north-central Nebraska.

The Storm Alert Team is working on keeping you up to date with the latest information as it comes available. Of course, it’s always a good idea to check in with 511 maps on current road conditions as you prepare for travel. We want to wish everyone a safe, merry time with loved ones.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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