Columbus, Nebraska 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

647
FXUS63 KOAX 222316
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
516 PM CST Sun Feb 22 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Very cold air remains in place through Monday with highs in
  the 20s and 30s. Wind chills could dip to 5 to 15 degrees
  below zero late tonight into early Monday morning.

- A Temperatures will gradually warm through the upcoming week.

- A mid-week system will bring a 20-40% chance for rain and snow.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1209 PM CST Sun Feb 22 2026

Today through Monday...

Northwesterly flow continued to draw cold air into the central CONUS
today. Overnight, low temperatures dipped into the single digits
above 0. A tight pressure gradient between a departing shortwave to
our east and a ridge to our west increased winds across the region.
Gusts up to 20 to 30 mph this morning resulted in windchills of
-5 to -15 across the majority of the forecast area. By noon,
 clear skies and plenty of sun allowed temperatures to slowly
 rise back into the upper teens and low 20s.

Temperatures will slip as low as 5 degrees below 0 tonight, with
wind chills again around -5 to -15 Monday morning. The upper ridge
will continue to edge eastward, bringing warmer air back into the
region for the upcoming week. While the remaining snowpack will
limit the core of our CWA to the mid and upper 20s on Monday,
locations with bare ground near the South Dakota and Kansas borders
will likely rise into the mid and upper 30s.

Tuesday through Wednesday...

Warm air advection strengthens early Tuesday, with afternoon
temperatures pushing into the 50s, approaching 60 over bare ground,
and 40s across snow-covered regions.

Winds will shift to the north by Tuesday afternoon, as a dry cold
front, associated with a low moving into the Great Lakes, sweeps in
from the northwest. Temperatures may slip a few degrees behind the
front for Wednesday, but are still expected to remain above normal,
in the 40s and 50s.

Our next chance for light precipitation will arrive late Wednesday,
as a shortwave moves out of the front range. While initially rain
will be possible, a reinforcing shot of cold air and falling
temperatures overnight should lead to a change over to snow. The
current track of this system keeps any heavier snow potential well
to our northeast, over northern Iowa, with only minor accumulations
possible over the forecast area. However, a southward shift of this
system could mean colder air and more snow for the forecast area.

Thursday and Beyond...

Warm air advection returns behind the departing low, allowing
temperatures to bounce back into the 40s and 50s Thursday, and
potentially 50s and 60s on Friday.

Unfortunately, the warm up may be short-lived. A trough looks to
sink into the central CONUS by early next week, bringing colder
temperatures and another chance for precipitation.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 515 PM CST Sun Feb 22 2026

VFR conditions continue through the forecast period. North winds
slowly weaken tonight as surface high pressure moves into the
area. Winds shift to the southeast during Monday morning as the
surface high pressure moves east of the area.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...KG
AVIATION...Chehak