A Blizzard Warning is in effect for much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa including the Omaha metro area from Noon today through 3am Sunday. Heavy snow and whiteout conditions are expected to develop Saturday afternoon.
According to WOWT 6 meteorologists rain is likely to develop by 11am or Noon as a powerful storm system approaches the area. Rain will quickly mix with freezing rain and sleet by 1 to 2pm. As colder air continues to push in, the wintry mix will quickly switch over to heavy snow near or just after 3pm across the metro. Once snow begins, it will come down very heavy, potentially at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
In addition, wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph are expected to develop late this afternoon into this evening. This will create blowing and drifting snow as well as whiteout conditions, making travel dangerous if not impossible. Snow amounts of 5 to 10 inches are likely across the metro area, and a few locations may actually pick up slightly heavier amounts within a very narrow band.
Snow will taper off between 9 pm and Midnight across the area, though winds will remain gusty overnight. Gusts up to 45mph will continue to be possible, which may cause areas of blowing snow into Sunday morning. Temperatures will fall to around 16 degrees by early Sunday. Winds will slowly decrease during the day Sunday, but gusts up to 40mph are still possible before Noon.
Sunshine will return by late morning or early afternoon, but conditions will remain cold with highs only around 22.