What is so rare as snow in October?

It might take a week to say goodbye to unseasonably cold weather in Nebraska.

But unlike Saturday, no more snow is expected anytime soon in the Omaha area.

The state was pelted with an unusual early-autumn storm that dumped up to 17 inches of snow in the North Platte area and contributed to a steady stream of fender benders in and around Omaha.

Snow began falling in Omaha early Saturday and let up around noon. Eppley Airfield recorded 3.5 inches, said Dave Fobert, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Valley, Neb.

Measurable snow this early in October is rare, Fobert said. The last time the Omaha area had 1 inch or more this early in autumn was 3.5 inches on Oct. 9, 1970.

“It doesn't happen very often,” Fobert said. “And that's good.”

The steady snow kept Omaha police and emergency crews busy from about 5 a.m. to mid-afternoon, a few hours after the snow tapered off. The Omaha area had at least 45 auto accident calls, according to Douglas County dispatchers.

No serious injuries or deaths were reported.

The good news is that temperatures will slowly become more fall-like as the week unfolds. Monday's high in Omaha is forecast to be in the mid-50s, with partly cloudy skies.

Tuesday's forecast is for highs in the mid-40s, with clouds moving in and rain possible in the evening. The forecast for the rest of the week includes highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, with overnight lows in the low to mid-30s.

By next Sunday the high should reach the low 60s, said Dave Samuhel, meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc., The World-Herald's weather consultant.

The Omaha area was lucky compared to western and central Nebraska.

The 13.8 inches recorded at the North Platte airport broke a record for October that was set in 1896. There were reports of up to 17 inches elsewhere in the North Platte area.

As the afternoon wore on, the snow was melting quickly.

A Nebraska State Patrol spokesman said the snow didn't close any roads around North Platte. Several accidents were reported in the area, but there were no serious injuries.

The storm extended from western Nebraska along the Interstate 80 corridor into southwest Iowa and Des Moines, Fobert said.

Nebraska snowfall amounts varied. The Hastings area reported 2 to 6 inches, while Loup City reported 8 inches, Fobert said.

Western and central Nebraska can expect overnight temperatures in the 20s through much of the week. A second system today was expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of snow and possible freezing drizzle on portions of I-80.

This report includes material from the World-Herald News Service.

Contact the writer:

444-3198, chip.olsen@owh.com