Winter Weather — Washington, Nebraska

2025-12-28 · Washington, Nebraska

Event narrative

Snow squall conditions impacted the county between 10:55 AM and 11:10 AM CST. KOAX radar indicated a robust convective band with high reflectivity moving rapidly through the area. During the passage of this band, the KBTA AWOS recorded a minimum visibility of 1/2 mile (0.50 mi), accompanied by peak wind gusts of 40'50 mph.

Wider weather episode

On December 28, 2025, an intensifying, neutrally tilted mid-to-upper-level trough moved across the region, enhanced by a strong southwesterly jet streak nosing into the Central Plains. At the surface, a low-pressure system centered over central Kansas tracked eastward, dragging a sharp cold front across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Strong forcing for ascent and elevated instability ahead of the trough facilitated the development of convective snow showers and a post-frontal band of precipitation.

As the front passed, the convective nature of the snow resulted in dangerous snow squalls, prompting the issuance of Snow Squall Warnings along and north of the Interstate 80 corridor. A trained spotter reported zero visibility on Highway 77 at 10:30 CST, while a public report from Omaha indicated a quick accumulation of 1.1 inches of snow. Behind the front, the tightening pressure gradient produced widespread wind gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range. Sporadic, higher gusts were also observed, including 62 mph measurements from a mesonet in Lincoln, NE, and a personal weather station in Omaha, NE. Additional gusts of 58 to 61 mph were recorded across Seward and Cass counties in Nebraska, and Mills and Montgomery counties in Iowa.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1306682. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.