Key facts
- Alert
- Freeze Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE
- Areas
- Eastern Cherry; Keya Paha; Boyd; Brown; Rock; Holt; Hooker; Thomas; Blaine; Loup; Garfield; Wheeler; Arthur; McPherson; Logan; Custer; Keith; Perkins; Lincoln; Chase; Hayes; Frontier; Monona; Harrison; Shelby; Pottawattamie; Mills; Montgomery; Fremont; Page; Knox; Cedar; Thurston; Antelope; Pierce; Wayne; Boone; Madison; Stanton; Cuming; Burt; Platte; Colfax; Dodge; Washington; Butler; Saunders; Douglas; Sarpy; Seward; Lancaster; Cass; Otoe; Saline; Jefferson; Gage; Johnson; Nemaha; Pawnee; Richardson
- In effect
- until 10:00 AM CDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 expected.”
National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE, Freeze Warning, 3:54 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE, Freeze Warning, 3:54 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE, Freeze Warning, 3:54 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Cover them or move potted plants indoors before the freeze begins at 1 AM CDT.
To keep water pipes from freezing, wrap them, drain them, or let them drip slowly. Pay attention to unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Protect pets from the cold and check on older neighbors. If you must drive in the morning, allow extra time and carry a winter kit.
Context
The warning was issued at 2:16 PM CDT Friday, October 16, 2026, and the National Weather Service says it remains in effect. The area covers many counties across Nebraska, with some in Iowa and Kansas.
FEMA records show past disaster declarations for counties in the warned area, mostly for storms and flooding, including a 2019 declaration for a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding. Flood insurance claim counts cover only insured properties, so they do not show all past damage.
Updates
- The freeze warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 10:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 10:00 AM CDT.
- National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE, Hastings NE issued the freeze warning until 10:00 AM CDT.
History here
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4420 (2019): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-1924 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1878 (2010): severe winter storms and snowstorm
- DR-1853 (2009): severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes
- DR-1770 (2008): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4420 (2019): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-1924 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1878 (2010): severe winter storms and snowstorm
- DR-1853 (2009): severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes
- DR-1770 (2008): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
This county: 18 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1995, most recent 2023.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4822 (2024): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
- DR-4420 (2019): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4387 (2018): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4375 (2018): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4013 (2011): flooding
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Questions
- Is there a freeze warning in Nebraska?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a Freeze Warning for parts of central, north central, southwest and west central Nebraska. It runs from 1 AM CDT to 10 AM CDT Saturday.
- How cold will it get?
- The National Weather Service expects sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
- How can I protect my pipes during the freeze warning?
- The National Weather Service advises wrapping or draining water pipes, or letting them drip slowly. Unprotected outdoor plumbing could be damaged.
Sources
- National Weather Service offices: North Platte NE, Omaha/Valley NE: Freeze Warning, Oct 17, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.