Severe Winter Weather Hits Central U.S. with Snow and Cold Temperatures

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A severe winter storm is forecast to impact central U.S. states starting Friday evening, bringing a mix of rain and snow, followed by frigid temperatures. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate ahead of the storm, which is set to deliver significant snowfall across several regions.

The storm system will bring a surge of warmer air on Friday, causing temperatures to rise into the 30s before a drastic drop overnight. Meteorologists anticipate that precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow after midnight, transitioning to heavy snow early Saturday morning. The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur by 8 a.m. on Saturday, possibly resulting in travel disruptions in the morning hours.

Snow accumulations are predicted to range from 1 to 3 inches in several areas, while regions north and east of Omaha may see totals between 3 to 6 inches. “Saturday will be a First Alert 6 Weather Day due to the accumulation of snow and dangerous travel conditions,” said meteorologist Eric Anderson. As temperatures plummet into the teens, wind gusts could reach up to 40 mph, making the wind chill feel significantly colder.

In addition to Omaha, meteorologists issued alerts for parts of North Dakota and Minnesota, anticipating moderate to heavy snowfall along the ND-SD border and in the southern Red River Valley. Areas in these regions could see snow totals of 3 to 6 inches overnight, with localized amounts exceeding 6 inches possible if conditions allow for a narrow band to develop.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Kentucky, heavy rain is expected to accompany rising temperatures, leading to a transition from snow to rain throughout Saturday. Areas impacted earlier by snow will face flooding risks as accumulated snow melts due to the warmer temperatures reaching the low 50s.

In Missouri, Siouxland residents are bracing for winter weather advisories as conditions worsen from snow and biting cold. Authorities urge residents to check travel conditions on state websites and exercise caution on the roads. Additional advisory warnings are in effect for southern counties, predicting up to 6 inches of new snow.

The harsh winter conditions are expected to continue into the next week, with the National Weather Service warning about the persistence of arctic air across northern plains, leading to dangerously low wind chills.

“In preparation for this ongoing brutal cold wave, it’s advised to have warm clothing ready and stay updated through local weather updates,” said meteorologist Julia Thompson. State and local authorities are monitoring conditions closely as travel forecasts indicate challenging road conditions through the weekend and into the start of next week.