Nebraska
The western US is in a significant ‘snow drought’: what it means for neighbors in Nebraska and Iowa
You may not be surprised, but winter in Nebraska and Iowa has been dry…again.
On average, we see about 16″ of snow up to early February. This winter, Omaha has received 6.5″. Not as bad as last year, but nowhere near our seasonal average. We are in a ‘snow drought’, but we are not alone.
The hotspots for snow this year have been to our east and south, leaving much of the western US high and dry. In fact, the Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana are experiencing some of the driest winters on record.
Why is this? Ridging in the atmosphere has kept winter storms away from the west and favored the east. Likewise, a series of rainstorms in early January melted much of the snowpack, which means less to melt come spring.
You can see this in these two images. The first shows the “snow water equivalent (SWE)” over the west, which is the water content in the snowpack. The numbers are in %. Anything below 100% is below average, anything above 100% is above average. This time last year, much of the West was seeing above-average snowpacks.
USDA
This year, nearly every station is well below average.
USDA
This is shown in the satellite imagery of the western US snowpack. Last year, the snowpack was quite healthy.
NASA Worldview
This year, it’s a much different story, with only the tallest mountains having any snow.
NASA Worldview
So, what does this mean for Nebraska and Iowa? In the short-term, disappointed skiiers, sledders, and kids, alongside happy drivers.
However, in the long term, the lack of moisture out west could be a serious concern.
Take the Platte River in Nebraska. The Platte gets a lot of its water from snow runoff in Colorado and Wyoming. If those states see little snow, there is less water that flows into the river. Since the reservoirs in Nebraska are already low, this could create some water issues come the summer.
Likewise, runoff into the Missouri River will be lower, with the Army Corps of Engineers predicting a lower runoff in 2026. This could impact river levels, which widens into impacted river travel & recreational activities.
While this sounds doom and gloom now, it’s only early February. We are just entering the snowiest time of the season for many of these places. All we need is a pattern change, and the snow issues out west could go away. Time will tell.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day 154 years ago, the University of Nebraska held its first commencement ceremony — without any graduates.
The university was founded three years before the ceremony.
In place of diplomas, the university presented an honorary doctorate to the Rev. Bishop Clarkson of Omaha.
It wasn’t until the following year that the first students graduated from the university.
By the end of the 1870s, graduation had become a week of celebrations.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
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On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
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Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers wellness coaching as a free service to employees.
The program provides confidential, personalized support to help participants improve their health and well-being. Through one-on-one sessions, employees work with trained wellness professionals to identify goals, develop action plans and build sustainable habits aligned with their values and lifestyles.
Unlike traditional health education programs, wellness coaching focuses on helping individuals define what well-being means to them. Coaches act as partners in the behavior change process, helping participants identify motivators, overcome barriers and develop realistic strategies for success. Employees may focus on a variety of topics, including physical activity, nutrition, stress management, work-life balance, sleep and overall wellness.
The coaching process begins with a one-hour initial consultation, during which participants work with a coach to explore goals and create a personalized wellness plan. After the initial session, employees and coaches determine a follow-up schedule based on individual needs, with options for weekly, biweekly or monthly meetings. Written check-ins also may be included to provide additional support and accountability.
HealthierU’s mission is to support University of Nebraska–Lincoln employees in pursuing their own well-being through accessible programs, resources and services that address all dimensions of wellness. Wellness coaching is one of the program’s most individualized offerings, providing employees with tools, support and encouragement to make lasting lifestyle changes.
Employees interested in learning more about wellness coaching are encouraged to visit the program’s updated resource page for additional information, including expectations and availability.
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