Hard freeze hits Omaha Friday as temperatures drop into the 20s
Veterans Day brings above-average warmth and strong winds before a sharp cooling trend takes hold.
By Alina Marshall ·
Friday morning marks the first hard freeze of the season in the Omaha area. Temperatures will fall into the 20s across the entire region. This cold snap follows a mild Veterans Day that features highs in the 60s.
The current warmth stands out against historical norms. Highs near 60 degrees are roughly 10 degrees above average for this time of year. Strong northwest winds will accompany the heat. Gusts are expected to reach 35 mph, particularly during the morning hours.
The weather pattern shifts rapidly after Wednesday. Cooler air moves in overnight, bringing lows into the 30s by Thursday morning. Frost is possible in parts of the area. North winds will keep Thursday afternoon highs in the 40s, preventing a full recovery of the previous day's warmth.
Thursday night into Friday morning represents the coldest stretch of the season so far. Forecasters have designated Friday a First Alert 6 Weather Day due to the widespread cold. Residents should disconnect hoses and drain above-ground pipes on outdoor water lines by Thursday night. These components are likely to freeze if left exposed to the 20-degree temperatures.
Friday morning is the first of two consecutive cold starts. Saturday morning may dip to similar lows. Afternoon temperatures will rise into the 40s and 50s for the rest of the weekend. Rain chances remain low through the end of next week, near the Stuff the Truck event.
A more active weather pattern is likely to develop near the weekend following the current 10-day forecast. This shift extends into the week of Thanksgiving.
