Nebraska Winter Weather Preparedness

Nebraska Winter Weather Preparedness

2016 Nebraska Winter Weather Awareness Newsletter

Winter Storm
Photo courtesy of Nebraska Department of Roads Region 6

The National Weather Service (NWS) offices serving Nebraska each year host a Winter Weather Awareness Day in November. The National Weather Service Offices in Nebraska encourage you to become familiar with safety rules and make plans to protect yourself, your family, and employees when winter storms strike. Winter storm warnings are disseminated through NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, and on the Internet at various sites including weather.gov.

This information describes the different types of severe winter weather we have in Nebraska and provides safety information related to each type. Click on one of the tabs above to learn more.

An average winter season lasts from November through March in eastern Nebraska and from October through April in western Nebraska. In a typical winter, average seasonal snowfall ranges from 20 to 40 inches, with the heaviest amounts over the northern Nebraska panhandle. In addition to snow, bitterly cold temperatures and strong winds will contribute to blowing and drifting of snow as well as dangerous wind chills. If conditions are favorable, a blizzard may develop making travel extremely difficult or impossible. Early springtime snow storms may produce heavy wet snow, leading to power outages. Though more common in eastern and central Nebraska, freezing rain can lead to tree damage and downed power lines.

Nebraska is served by six National Weather Service offices. We issue watches and warnings for the protection of life and property. For additional information, contact your local NWS office:

North Platte, NE

Cheyenne, WY

Sioux Falls, SD

308-532-5592

800-269-6220

605-330-4247

Omaha, NE

Hastings, NE

Goodland, KS

402-359-5166

402-462-4287

785-899-7119

Nebraska Winter Weather Awareness web page was developed by Lead Forecaster Scott Carpenter at Cheyenne, Wyoming and adapted by Lead Forecaster Chris Buttler at North Platte, Nebraska.