If you thought the temperature in Omaha on Christmas Day was above average, you are correct. In fact, we hit 47 degrees, which is 14 degrees above the normal high for this time of year. However, it was also 15 degrees below the record high of 62 set in 1936. Temperatures will remain mild with highs in the 40s on Wednesday and Thursday before much colder air settles in on Friday.
It's also going to be very, very wet through Thursday afternoon with the majority of precipitation falling Wednesday and early Thursday. The next storm system that starts moving in on Wednesday will be working with unprecedented amounts of moisture for this time of year. It is very likely that we will see 1.5-2" of rain in Omaha before the system moves out late Thursday. Due to increasing instability in the atmosphere Thursday afternoon, there is also a chance for thunderstorms along and south of I-80.
Farther north and west where colder air will already be in place, snow totals could range from 4-12". There is a chance for a wintry mix and even snow in Omaha late Thursday into Friday morning as temperatures drop, snow totals will be light around a half inch or less.
It will remain dry but cold Friday through the beginning of the New Year. Highs will be in the 20s and 30s depending on the day due to cold air masses moving in and out of the region during the period.
