What should you know about Omaha's weather?
- NWS office
- Omaha/Valley (OAX)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 1,040 ft
- Coordinates
- 41.26° N, 95.93° W
- Nearest radar
- KOAX · Omaha NEXRAD · 23 mi
- County
- Douglas County, NE
- Yearly rain
- 31.9 in
- Warmest month
- July · 78.1°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 24.4°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Omaha get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 33.6 | 38.6 | 52.1 | 64.1 | 74.6 | 84.4 | 88.1 | 85.8 | 79.1 | 65.5 | 50.3 | 37.7 |
| Low °F | 15.2 | 19.3 | 30.0 | 41.1 | 52.7 | 63.4 | 68.0 | 65.6 | 56.1 | 43.2 | 30.2 | 19.8 |
| Rain (in) | 0.75 | 0.95 | 1.79 | 3.17 | 4.66 | 4.44 | 3.55 | 4.60 | 2.96 | 2.32 | 1.45 | 1.22 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33.6 | 15.2 | 0.75 |
| Feb | 38.6 | 19.3 | 0.95 |
| Mar | 52.1 | 30.0 | 1.79 |
| Apr | 64.1 | 41.1 | 3.17 |
| May | 74.6 | 52.7 | 4.66 |
| Jun | 84.4 | 63.4 | 4.44 |
| Jul | 88.1 | 68.0 | 3.55 |
| Aug | 85.8 | 65.6 | 4.60 |
| Sep | 79.1 | 56.1 | 2.96 |
| Oct | 65.5 | 43.2 | 2.32 |
| Nov | 50.3 | 30.2 | 1.45 |
| Dec | 37.7 | 19.8 | 1.22 |
OMAHA EPPLEY AIRFIELD, NE US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened in the May 6, 1975 Omaha tornado?
The tornado tore north through west central Omaha, killing three people and destroying 287 homes. The Weather Service Forecast Office issued a tornado warning for the Omaha area at 4:14 pm, and the tornado touched down at 96th and Q at 4:33 pm. It moved north along 84th Street from the south side of I-80, hit Bergan-Mercy Hospital and lifted in Benson Park at 4:58 pm. Another 1,400 homes were damaged. The March 23, 1913 tornado was far deadlier, with 94 known dead.
How did the March 2019 flood hit Offutt Air Force Base?
Floodwaters breached a federal levee northeast of the base, submerged the lower half of the Offutt runway and inundated about 30 buildings. An abnormally cold February through early March left frozen soils with about 6 to 10 inches of snow cover. On March 14, 2019, another 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in parts of eastern Nebraska, South Dakota and western Iowa. USGS describes the result as a 100-year flood on the Missouri River, and standing water stayed on the base through much of the year.
What floods first when the Missouri River rises at Omaha?
Parks along the river flood first. Haworth Park in Bellevue begins to flood, then Freedom Park, Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park and Fontenelle Forest. Higher water reaches the bottom of the flood wall just north of Interstate 480 and affects low lying roads just east of Riverfront Drive north of the pedestrian bridge. In the biggest floods, the water nears the top of the federal levee.
What did the Omaha weather radar show during the 2021 Old Market flood?
It showed slow-moving storms with a west to east orientation, and in Omaha 3 to 5 inches of rain fell over about an hour on the evening of August 7, 2021. NWS Omaha/Valley declared a flash flood emergency for part of downtown Omaha and Council Bluffs. Water ran through basement apartments, swept up cars and heaved pavement in low-lying areas. There were at least 11 water rescues, and Papillion Creek rose 10 feet or more in 15 minutes.
How much snow does Omaha get in a normal winter?
Eppley Airfield averages 27.1 inches of snow a year under 1991 to 2020 normals. February is the snowiest month at 7.8 inches, followed by January at 7.2 and December at 5.8. March adds another 3 inches on average. Radar shows where snow is falling, but check the wind forecast too, since strong wind can blow light snow into drifts.
When should you check the Omaha radar?
Severe storm peak
May to JulyAbout 67% of Douglas County's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Check the loop before a College World Series night game or a drive on I-680.
Freeze season
October 21 to April 18These are the median dates of the first fall and last spring 32°F freeze at Eppley Airfield under 1991 to 2020 normals. Radar stays blank on clear, calm freeze nights, so check the hourly low before an early start on Dodge Street.
What else do people ask about the Omaha radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Omaha?
NWS Omaha/Valley (OAX) issues forecasts and warnings for Omaha. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KOAX, about 23 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Omaha/Valley and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KOAX (Omaha NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Omaha/Valley (OAX)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KOAX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Omaha/Valley (OAX)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Omaha/Valley office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: OMAHA EPPLEY AIRFIELD, NE US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Omaha/Valley: May 6, 1975 Omaha tornado
- USGS: Floodwater drainage assessment of Offutt Air Force Base, 2020 to 2022
- NOAA NWPS: Missouri River at Omaha flood impacts
- NWS Omaha/Valley: August 7, 2021 Old Market flood
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 annual normals, Omaha Eppley Airfield
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 monthly normals, Omaha Eppley Airfield