Thanksgiving week in Nebraska usually greets you with chilly mornings and cool afternoons. Sometimes, you even catch an early taste of winter.
Most years, daytime highs land in the low to mid-40s, and nighttime lows drop into the 20s, with only a small chance of rain or snow. The weather generally feels cold and dry, but every now and then, Nebraska throws in a warm, sunny day or a snowy surprise to shake things up.
You’ll notice this variety because Nebraska sits right in the heart of the Great Plains. Shifting air masses can flip the weather on its head pretty fast.
Some years, you get mild weather that’s perfect for travel and outdoor traditions. Other times, icy roads, sharp winds, or even a Thanksgiving snowstorm can show up. Looking back at past years helps you guess what might happen next.
If you’re planning ahead for Thanksgiving week, it’s handy to know the usual patterns leading up to the holiday. From Omaha to Lincoln and Norfolk, every city keeps its own set of record highs, lows, and memorable snowfalls. When you get familiar with these trends, you can plan your travel, meals, and activities with a little more confidence, no matter what the forecast says.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Nebraska
Thanksgiving in Nebraska typically brings cool or cold weather, but temperatures can swing a lot depending on the year and where you are. Sometimes, you’ll get away with a light jacket. Other years, snow, wind, or freezing lows can shape your travel and outdoor plans.
Average High and Low Temperatures
Late November usually brings daytime highs in the 40s to low 50s°F across much of Nebraska. Nights often slip into the 20s°F, with some colder spots dipping into the teens.
Omaha, Lincoln, and other eastern cities tend to average a bit warmer than central and western parts. Omaha often tops out near 45°F, while Grand Island and North Platte usually stick closer to 40°F.
Lows stay pretty chilly. Eastern Nebraska hangs near the upper 20s°F, and the west often falls into the low 20s°F. You’ll want warm layers, especially if you’re outside in the morning or after dark.
Precipitation usually stays light. The holiday averages under 0.25 inches of rain or liquid equivalent, and snow isn’t guaranteed. Still, you might see a dusting or light accumulation in some years.
Weather Variability and Extremes
Thanksgiving weather in Nebraska can really swing. Records show highs have hit the 70s°F in some years, while other Thanksgivings barely climbed out of the teens.
Lows have ranged from the upper 30s°F on milder nights to well below zero during cold snaps.
Snow sometimes makes an appearance. While many years pass with little or no snow, storms have occasionally dropped several inches during the holiday week. Omaha once picked up 10 inches of snow in late November, and central Nebraska has dealt with big storms around the same time.
Wind often adds to the chill. Gusts sweep across the plains, making it feel colder than it looks on the thermometer. With all this variability, it’s smart to check forecasts before making travel or outdoor plans.
Regional Differences Across the State
Eastern Nebraska, including Omaha and Lincoln, usually deals with slightly milder Thanksgiving weather. Highs often land in the mid-40s°F, and lows hover near 30°F. Snowfall chances are lower here, but a light snow isn’t out of the question.
Central Nebraska—think Grand Island or Hastings—tends to be cooler. Highs usually stay in the upper 30s to low 40s°F, and lows fall into the 20s°F. This part of the state has seen some wild temperature swings, from the teens all the way up to the 70s.
Western Nebraska is generally the coldest. Places like North Platte and Scottsbluff often see highs in the 30s°F and lows in the teens. Snow chances are higher here, and the winds across the High Plains can make it feel even colder.
So, your Thanksgiving weather depends a lot on where you’re celebrating in Nebraska, not just the year.
Thanksgiving Weather in Omaha
Omaha usually sees chilly mornings and cool afternoons on Thanksgiving, with the occasional chance for rain or snow. The weather changes year to year, but historical records reveal some steady patterns you can count on.
Average Temperatures in Omaha
You’ll typically see daytime highs in the low to mid-40s °F and nighttime lows in the mid-20s °F around Thanksgiving. The long-term average maximum temperature sits at 41.9°F, and the average minimum is 24.0°F.
Some years get warm—highs have reached the 60s and even 70s, like 73°F in 2011. On the flip side, Omaha once dropped to a bitter -2°F in 1877.
Temperature swings are just part of late November here. A mild Thanksgiving can quickly give way to a much colder one the next year. This makes planning for outdoor activities or travel a bit of a gamble.
Precipitation and Snowfall Patterns
Omaha’s Thanksgiving is usually dry. The long-term average daily precipitation is just 0.03 inches. Rain is rare, but not impossible. For example, 1.59 inches fell in 1896, making it the wettest Thanksgiving on record.
Snow doesn’t happen often on the holiday itself. The snowiest Thanksgiving Day brought 2.9 inches in 1931. The biggest Thanksgiving week storm hit in 1983, with over 10 inches falling between November 26–28.
Because rain and snow are both uncommon, you’ll usually find clear or partly cloudy skies. Still, if a storm lines up with holiday travel, you could run into slick roads.
Recent Thanksgiving Weather Trends
Over the last 20 years, Omaha Thanksgivings have mostly been dry and cool. Most years recorded no measurable precipitation or snowfall. A few years broke the pattern, like 0.32 inches of rain in 2015 and a trace of snow that same year.
Highs have ranged wildly—from the mid-20s °F to the 70s °F. 25°F in 2014 was a sharp contrast to 73°F in 2011. This wide spread just proves how unpredictable Thanksgiving weather can be.
Most years, you’ll probably see dry, chilly weather rather than storms. Still, it’s always smart to pack warm clothes and check the forecast before you travel.
Precipitation and Snowfall Around Thanksgiving
Late November in Nebraska brings unsettled weather more often than not. Most years, you’ll get light to moderate precipitation, and sometimes, snow shows up just in time for the holiday. Historic records show everything from dry Thanksgivings to years with heavy rain or snow.
Average Precipitation Levels
Thanksgiving in Nebraska usually brings only a small chance of measurable rain. You’ll see about 0.05 to 0.20 inches of precipitation on the holiday itself. That’s way less than what you’d get in spring or summer thunderstorms.
Colder air in late fall holds less water vapor, so most years stay pretty dry. You might see cloudy skies without much actual rainfall. Even a little moisture, though, can make travel damp and chilly.
The wettest Thanksgiving on record for Omaha brought 1.59 inches of rain in 1896. That’s rare, but it does happen. If you’re planning outdoor activities, it’s safer to expect cool, damp weather rather than a washout.
Frequency of Snowfall
Snowfall on Thanksgiving isn’t common, but it’s not unheard of either. In eastern Nebraska, you’ve got about a 10–20% chance of measurable snow on the holiday. Western Nebraska, where it gets colder faster, sees slightly higher odds.
Most years bring only a trace or less, but when snow does fall, it can make roads slick in a hurry—especially if it’s near freezing.
Snow on the ground is hit or miss. Some years, you’ll wake up to bare grass. Other years, a few inches stick around from earlier November storms. Nebraska has even gone more than a decade without Thanksgiving snow at times.
Historic Wet and Snowy Thanksgivings
A few Thanksgivings really stand out in Nebraska’s weather history. The snowiest Thanksgiving week in Omaha brought 10 inches in 1983, starting just before the holiday. That storm made travel tough and gave the holiday a true winter feel.
The coldest Thanksgivings sometimes came with light snow, but not always. In 1877 Omaha recorded -2°F, yet snowfall was minimal. So, bitter cold doesn’t always mean snow.
Big rainfall events, like the 1896 storm with over an inch and a half of rain, are rare but memorable. These extremes remind you that while most Thanksgivings are pretty quiet, Nebraska weather can still pull off a surprise.
Notable Thanksgiving Weather Extremes
Thanksgiving in Nebraska has seen everything from record warmth to bitter cold, along with rare but memorable snowfalls. Some years, you get calm, mild days. Other years, sharp temperature swings or odd conditions have made travel and gatherings tricky.
Record Highs and Lows
Thanksgiving temperatures in Nebraska can jump all over the place. In Grand Island, the warmest Thanksgiving reached 72°F in 2017—pretty wild for late November. Other warm years include 71°F in 1998 and 70°F in 1914. These are rare, but they sure make travel and outdoor activities easier.
Bitter cold has made its mark, too. The coldest high was just 14°F in 1985, and the coldest low dropped to -2°F in 1938. More recently, highs didn’t even reach 40°F for several years in a row during the mid-2010s. You really need to be ready for winter-like weather, even though it’s still technically fall.
Significant Snow Events
Snow on Thanksgiving isn’t common, but when it happens, people remember. In Grand Island, measurable snow has only been recorded about 10 times since the late 1800s. The snowiest Thanksgivings brought 4.0 inches in both 1919 and 1931.
In 2015, 3.2 inches fell, making it the third-snowiest Thanksgiving on record. In 2019, a lighter 0.3 inches still made roads slick, while a 6-inch snowpack stuck around from a storm earlier that week.
Some of the biggest events actually hit just after the holiday. In 1983, a weekend storm dumped more than a foot of snow across central Nebraska, messing up travel even though Thanksgiving Day itself stayed dry.
Unusual Weather Occurrences
Thanksgiving has also featured some odd weather. In a few years, fog and low clouds made for gray, damp days, like in 2016, when the day stayed cool and dreary without any real precipitation.
Wind sometimes changes the feel of the day. In 2022, breezy conditions and chilly air made outdoor activities less fun, even with mostly sunny skies. Sometimes, radar even picked up flurries near Grand Island that never actually reached the ground, leaving travelers guessing.
These less dramatic events still show how unpredictable late November weather can be in Nebraska. Even without breaking records, the weather can shift fast and mess with your plans.
Weather Patterns Leading Up to and After Thanksgiving
Nebraska often deals with sharp temperature swings in late November. Conditions can flip quickly from mild to wintry. You should expect both temperatures and precipitation to vary, and that can definitely affect travel and outdoor plans before and after the holiday.
Late November Weather Trends
By the third week of November, Nebraska usually sees daytime highs in the upper 30s to mid-40s °F. At night, lows often fall into the 20s.
Cold fronts from the north can sweep in and drop temperatures fast, sometimes by 15 or even 20 degrees in just one day. It’s a bit of a roller coaster, honestly.
Snow might show up, but it’s hardly a sure thing. On average, you could get 0.5 to 1.5 inches of snow during this stretch, but plenty of years pass with barely any accumulation.
You might also get light rain or a mix of precipitation, especially in the eastern parts of the state. It keeps things interesting, if nothing else.
Wind really shapes how the weather feels. Gusts of 20 to 30 mph happen a lot, and they make the cold bite a little harder.
If you’re traveling, keep those windy days in mind. When soils are dry, wind can kick up blowing dust in central and western Nebraska, which isn’t exactly pleasant.
Transition to Winter Conditions
After Thanksgiving, colder air settles in more often. Average highs drop into the mid-30s °F, and lows usually hit the teens.
Sometimes, arctic air masses push south and bring below-zero temperatures to northern and western Nebraska. Those days can catch you off guard if you’re not ready.
Snow chances go up in early December. Storms that cross the Plains might drop 2 to 6 inches of snow in a single shot, especially in central and eastern parts of the state.
The risk of winter travel disruptions grows after the holiday. It’s just part of the deal this time of year.
You should also watch out for icy conditions. Even a little freezing drizzle or a dusting of snow can make roads slick.
Farmers and ranchers usually spend this time finishing winter preparations, since livestock and stored crops face more exposure to cold and snow.
Planning Activities and Travel During Thanksgiving Week
Late November in Nebraska tends to bring chilly temperatures and plenty of cloudy skies. You’ll also see chances for rain or snow.
Travel and outdoor plans can get thrown off by changing weather, so it’s smart to be ready for cold and possible disruptions.
Weather Considerations for Travelers
Thanksgiving week gets busy for travel. In Nebraska, average highs land in the 40s °F, with lows in the 20s °F.
Cold fronts come through pretty often, bringing wind, rain, or some light snow. These changes can slow down road traffic and cause flight delays.
If you’re planning a drive, check the forecast along your route. Wet roads can freeze overnight, especially in rural areas where plows and salt trucks take longer to show up.
Toss an emergency kit in your car with blankets, water, and a flashlight in case of unexpected delays. Better safe than sorry, right?
Air travelers should build in some extra time at the airport. Holiday crowds plus weather slowdowns can stretch security lines and boarding times.
Booking flights earlier in the day usually helps dodge cancellations, since storms tend to build later on.
Tips for Outdoor Events
Nebraska weather in late November? It can really throw you for a loop. You’ve got to stay flexible.
Football games, turkey trots, or even a family walk might seem perfect on a mild day. But if the temperature drops or the wind picks up, things can get uncomfortable fast.
I’d suggest dressing in layers, so you can adjust as the day changes. Throw on a base layer, grab an insulated jacket, and top it off with a windproof shell.
If the forecast hints at rain or snow, waterproof shoes or boots make a big difference.
Thinking about a backyard meal or bonfire? Watch the wind direction and set up a spot with some shelter.
Portable heaters and fire pits help keep things cozy, just don’t forget about safety.
For kids’ activities, it’s smart to have indoor options ready in case the weather flips on you.