Saturday, January 27, 2024 Morning Weather Forecast: Foggy Conditions Persist, Gradual Warming Trend on the Horizon

A Shrouded Start to the Day

Good morning, Omaha! Meteorologist Caitlin Harvey Ly here with your accurate weather forecast. Today, we’re waking up to a scene straight out of a mystery novel: a thick blanket of fog has enveloped our city, shrouding everything in an ethereal mist. The persistent fog and cloud cover have created limited visibility, making for a challenging start to the day. Temperatures have dipped into the mid-30s, and while there’s not much change in sight for today, I assure you, there’s a brighter horizon ahead.

Navigating the Fog: Safety First

Our exclusive Skycam network reveals a stark reality across the metro area. Council Bluffs and La Vista are obscured by a dense fog, while in West Omaha and downtown Omaha, the towering buildings disappear into the mist. Western and central Pottawattamie County are also experiencing reduced visibility, with the Council Bluffs Airport reporting zero miles of visibility. In contrast, Eppley Airfield enjoys perfect visibility, but that’s not the case for the entire city. Miller has dropped to three miles, Blair is at half a mile, Denison at a quarter mile, and Carroll and Columbus are also reporting limited visibility.

With such poor visibility, extra caution is necessary on the roads this morning. A dense fog advisory has been issued for all affected areas until 10:00 AM. Moreover, refreezing conditions are likely as temperatures hover in the mid-20s to low 30s. The only spots currently above freezing are Maryville and Falls City, but even their temperatures are falling.

Live Radar: A Glimpse into the Cloud Cover

Our live Super Doppler radar shows a dense cloud cover overhead, but there’s no precipitation expected today. We’ll continue to experience clouds and patchy fog throughout the day. The Flower Festival at Saint Cecilia Cathedral, which starts at 10:00 AM and runs until 4:00 PM, may be affected by the weather conditions. At 1:00 PM, the temperature will feel like 26 degrees, rising to 33 degrees later in the afternoon. Omaha, Norfolk, Columbus, and Falls City will all reach a high of 35 degrees, while Lincoln will see a high of 34 degrees and Allen Park will reach 31 degrees.

A Brighter Outlook: Gradual Warming Trend

The good news is that temperatures are on the rise as we head into the upcoming week. Tomorrow’s forecast is similar, but we may see more sunshine in the afternoon. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will bring temperatures in the 40s, and by Thursday and Friday, we’ll be enjoying the 50s.

Ice Jam Risk: Keeping a Watchful Eye

Of course, with warmer temperatures, we’re keeping a close eye on the ice jam risk for the Lower Platte River. Ice thickness, seven-day precipitation, and two- to three-week temperatures are all factors that contribute to the risk. Currently, the ice jam risk is elevated, and we expect it to increase further. We’re closely monitoring the situation to ensure no flooding occurs.

Seven-Day Forecast: Sunshine and Warmer Days Ahead

For today’s seven-day forecast, we have an impact weather icon for the morning fog and dense fog advisory. There may be some patchy fog to start your day on Sunday, but more sunshine is expected later in the week. By Thursday, temperatures will reach 50 degrees, bringing a much-needed break from the cold and gloomy weather.

Stay tuned for updates on the weather conditions throughout the day. Drive safely and have a great weekend!