Winter in the 402 is rarely just "cold." Honestly, it’s a mood. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill: one day you’re scraping a quarter-inch of rime ice off your windshield at 6:00 AM, and the next, you’re seeing neighbors contemplate wearing shorts because it hit 35 degrees and the sun actually came out. This Omaha Nebraska extended forecast is currently serving up exactly that kind of Midwestern whiplash.
We are looking at a classic January deep freeze right now. As of today, January 17, 2026, the current temperature is sitting at a biting 10°F. But the real kicker? The wind. With northwest gusts hitting 17 mph, the "feels like" temperature is a miserable -7°F. That is the kind of cold that doesn't just chill you—it hurts your face the second you step out of the door.
The 10-Day Outlook: Survival Mode to "Mild"
The immediate future looks a bit like a staircase made of ice. Today's high is only 16°F with a low of 7°F. We’ve got a 20% chance of light snow tonight, so keep an eye on those side streets. They get slick fast when the ground is this cold.
Tomorrow, Sunday the 18th, brings a weirdly hopeful jump. We’re looking at a high of 34°F. In Omaha terms, that's basically a heatwave compared to -7°F wind chills. Just don't get too comfortable. The wind is going to crank up to 21 mph, so that "warmth" is going to be accompanied by a lot of rattling windows.
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A Quick Look at Next Week
- Monday (Jan 19): Partly sunny and back down to a high of 20°F. Low of 5°F.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Mostly cloudy, high of 32°F.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): Partly sunny, high of 34°F.
- Thursday (Jan 22): The peak of the week at 36°F. If you have outdoor chores, this is your window.
By next weekend, the bottom drops out again. Friday and Saturday (Jan 23-24) are bringing back the snow showers and another dive into the deep freeze, with Saturday’s high struggling to reach 10°F.
Why the Omaha Nebraska Extended Forecast is So Bi-Polar
Basically, we’re the battleground for air masses. We have the Arctic air pushing down from the Dakotas and the occasional moisture-heavy system trying to crawl up from the south. When they meet over the Missouri River, things get interesting. According to recent National Weather Service (NWS) data, we are currently navigating a transition from a weak La Niña toward "ENSO-neutral" conditions.
What does that mean for your weekend plans? Uncertainty.
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La Niña winters in the Plains often mean more variability. It’s why we see these 20-degree swings over 24 hours. Historically, January is our coldest month, averaging a high of 32°F and a low of 15°F. We are currently tracking well below those averages for the overnight lows, which are hovering near 5°F to 7°F.
Real Talk: The Snow Situation
Most people think Omaha gets buried in snow every other week. In reality, January is often quite dry, but the snow we do get tends to stick around because it never gets warm enough to melt. The current forecast shows low-percentage chances for snow (mostly 10% to 20%) through the middle of next week.
However, the "snow showers" predicted for January 24th and 25th look a bit more persistent. Humidity levels are expected to climb to 76% by then. High humidity plus sub-freezing temps usually equals that fine, powdery snow that blows across I-80 and makes visibility a nightmare.
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How to Handle the Next Seven Days
If you're looking at this Omaha Nebraska extended forecast and planning your life, here is the expert takeaway.
First, ignore the "high" temperature for Monday and Tuesday when planning your morning commute. The lows are hitting 5°F and 11°F. Your car battery is going to feel every bit of that. If your battery is more than three years old, this is the week it might decide to quit.
Second, watch the wind direction. We are seeing a lot of "Northwest" and "North" winds. That’s the cold stuff. When it flips to "South" on Thursday, that’s why we hit 36°F.
Practical Steps for Omahans Right Now:
- Check your tires: Drastic temp drops cause PSI to plummet. Your "low tire" light isn't lying to you today.
- Layers over Bulk: A heavy coat is great, but with 21 mph winds tomorrow, you need a wind-breaking outer shell over a fleece.
- Drive for the Lows: Even if it’s 34°F during the day on Sunday, the overnight low of 7°F means any melted snow will turn into "black ice" by Monday morning.
The weather here is a moving target. This Omaha Nebraska extended forecast shows we are in the thick of a true Plains winter. Stay warm, keep the de-icer handy, and maybe don't wash your car until Thursday—it'll just freeze the locks shut tonight anyway.
Next Steps for You:
Check your outdoor faucets one last time to ensure they are fully drained, as the sustained lows below 10°F this week are prime for pipe bursts in uninsulated areas. If you're commuting on I-80 or Dodge Street, keep a small emergency kit with a blanket and extra gloves in the trunk, just in case those 20% snow chances turn into a surprise dusting during rush hour.