If you’ve lived in Nebraska for more than five minutes, you know the drill. One day you’re walking to the Haymarket in a light jacket, and the next, you’re digging your car out of a snowdrift while the wind tries to peel the skin off your face. It’s basically a rite of passage. Honestly, looking at the Lincoln Nebraska 10 day forecast right now, we are in for one of those classic mid-January rollercoasters that makes everyone question why we don't just move to Arizona.
Right now, as of Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2026, it’s about 38°F outside. Not terrible, right? But that northwest wind is kicking at 14 mph, making it feel more like 30°F. If you’re heading out, that Wind Advisory is no joke—it’s staying in effect until 7:00 PM tonight. We’ve got a 20% chance of some light snow today, but the real story is the temperature drop that’s lurking in the shadows.
The Deep Freeze is Coming
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and while it'll be sunny, the high is only hitting 24°F. That’s a 15-degree drop from today’s high of 39°F. Bundle up if you’re heading to any local events. Monday night is going to be a "stay inside and drink cocoa" kind of night with a low of 7°F.
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Here is the thing most people miss: we get a tiny "heat wave" mid-week before the bottom falls out. Tuesday crawls back to 38°F, and Wednesday actually looks decent with a high of 47°F. You’ll see people in shorts. Don’t be that person. Why? Because by Friday, the high is projected to be a measly 6°F.
Yes, single digits.
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That Friday, January 23, is looking brutal. We’re talking about a low of 0°F. The wind is shifting to the northeast, and while the precipitation chance is low (around 10%), any moisture is going to turn into that fine, stinging ice-dust we all love so much.
A Weekend for the Record Books?
Usually, January averages in Lincoln hover around 35°F for a high. We are going to be well below that for the latter half of this forecast. Saturday stays freezing at 11°F. Sunday, January 25, offers a bit of a reprieve as we climb back to 26°F, but honestly, that’s still cold enough to keep the ice on the sidewalks solid.
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The humidity is also swinging wildly. We’re sitting at 63% today, but it’ll dip to 34% by Thursday. That means static electricity everywhere. Touch a doorknob, get a shock. It’s just how Lincoln operates in the winter.
How to Actually Survive This Week
Most people just look at the high temperature and call it a day. That’s a mistake. You’ve gotta look at the wind direction. When it’s coming from the northwest at 18 mph—like it will be this Wednesday—that 47°F is going to feel significantly sharper.
- Check your tire pressure tonight. These 30-degree swings cause that "low tire" light to pop on like clockwork.
- Get your heavy coat out for Friday morning. Layers are your best friend when you're transitioning from a 47-degree Wednesday to a 6-degree Friday.
- Watch the 25% snow chance next Tuesday, January 27. It's far out, but the models are starting to show some moisture return.
This Lincoln Nebraska 10 day forecast is a reminder that winter in the Heartland isn't a season; it's a test of endurance. We’ve got a mix of sun, clouds, and genuine "Polar Vortex" vibes coming our way. Keep the salt bucket by the door and maybe check on your neighbors when those sub-zero lows hit next weekend.
Stay warm, Lincoln. You’re going to need that heavy parka sooner than you think.