Council Bluffs, Iowa 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

513
FXUS63 KOAX 221121
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
521 AM CST Mon Dec 22 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Temperatures will be much warmer than normal, largely in the
  50s, through at least Friday. Normal temperatures are
  typically in the mid 30s. Temperatures will approach the 60s
  on Christmas Day, with the potential for record highs.

- No precipitation is expected through at least Thursday, with a
  near-zero chance of precipitation for the coming weekend. No
  White Christmas this year, more like a Brown Christmas.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 309 AM CST Mon Dec 22 2025

Water vapor imagery this morning shows the advertised upper-level
ridge building across much of the CONUS. This upper-level ridge
dominates our weather through much of this week. As the main jet
stream is pushed into the Dakotas and Canada, warm southerly winds
and mostly sunny skies send temperatures soaring this afternoon.
Widespread 50s are anticipated with even a few 60s for far western
portions of the area. Theses temperatures will be 20 degrees or more
above normal for this time of year. Tuesday sees the upper-level
ridge weaken slightly with a disturbance passing north of the
region. A weak front pushes through dropping temperatures 5 to 10
degrees. This front may drop temperatures, but many hold onto the
50s. Temperatures will then increase slightly as the low-level
thermal ridge axis pushes closer to the region. This equates to 50s
once again with a few near 60 for Christmas Eve. By Thursday,
Christmas Day, the low-level thermal ridge is forecast to be nearest
the region, though perhaps a little to the east over northern
Missouri. There remains a medium to high chance of 60s for much of
the area. This may end up challenging several records across the
region if these temperatures were to materialize. Scattered clouds
and relatively weak surface winds do lower confidence in truly
record heat, but it will be well above normal regardless. You can
see the potential records below.

December 25th (Christmas) Records...
Omaha...   Forecast: 60 Record: 57 (1946)
Lincoln... Forecast: 64 Record: 65 (1889)
Norfolk... Forecast: 61 Record: 63 (1963)

After Christmas, the weather pattern across much of the CONUS begins
to slowly change. A developing longwave trough over the western
CONUS begins to break down the upper-level ridge. This should allow
another weak disturbance to push a cold front through the area. That
being said, temperatures in the 50s appears likely on Friday.
Heading into the coming weekend, a more pronounced trough digs into
the Great Lakes region. This puts our region under northwesterly
upper-level flow, allowing cooler temperatures to return.
Temperatures are likely to fall back into the 40s by Saturday and
perhaps the 30s by Sunday. Unfortunately, limited moisture and weak
upper-level forcing looks to keep us dry. It will not be a White
Christmas, more like a Brown Christmas, with no precipitation in the
forecast.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 519 AM CST Mon Dec 22 2025

VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. Southerly
winds continue this morning with LLWS possible at LNK and OMA
from 210 degrees at 40 to 45 kts. This should subside over the
next few hours. South to southwesterly winds remain this
afternoon, increasing in speed to between 12-15 kts with a few
higher gusts. After sunset, winds will weaken slightly.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Chehak
AVIATION...Chehak