A wide variety of winter weather, from snow and freezing drizzle to snow-ice pellets and thunder, moved into southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri early Tuesday.
The crazy mix of precipitation was the latest punch in a one-two combination that began Monday, mainly with freezing drizzle that coated roads, sidewalks and parking lots across the region.
The odd barrage began a little after 9 p.m. with thunder that could be heard in some parts of the area, followed by a brief but heavy downpour of snow-ice pellets. That left streets, sidewalks and driveways with a thin layer of the heavy white stuff.
The precipitation was expected to continue through part of Tuesday morning across the region, the National Weather Service office in Valley said.
Icy roadway conditions were likely for the morning commute. Side streets were slick, main roads less so. Traffic generally was traveling 5-10 mph slower than normal.
City plows were spotted on the roadways by 3 a.m., pushing aside the buildups of pellets and spreading salt in some areas.
A number of school districts in southeast Nebraska were starting classes late Tuesday morning. Several schools in southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri cancelled classes altogether. Parents and students were urged to check with their schools for start times.
The icy weather can be traced to a front that’s stalled over Oklahoma, Missouri and into the Ohio Valley, said Becky Kern, a weather service meteorologist, with colder conditions to the north of Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
“We’re in an active pattern,’’ she said. “We’re in a transition zone.’’
Dry weather is likely Wednesday, but another round of wintry mixed precipitation, including snow and freezing rain, was expected Thursday.
Forecast
Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. North northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 8. North wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 29. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Wednesday Night Snow likely before 5am, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible. ThursdayA chance of rain, snow, and freezing rain before 3pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 3pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
State roadways
Nebraska: Partially to completely covered in eastern, northeast, north-central and the Panhandle.
Iowa: Partially to completely covered in most of western and central Iowa.
Missouri: Partially to completely covered in northwest Missouri\
Flights
Eppley Airfield officials said some roads around Omaha may have been affected by the winter weather overnight, so give yourself extra time arriving at the airport Tuesday morning. Eppley is open and flights are departing and arriving. Check with your airline for flight status.
