NORFOLK, Neb. -- With the dense fog hitting parts of Nebraska this week, the weather is going to be something to watch out for in the coming days. 

“Be aware,” said Bobbi Risor, Emergency Management Director. “Be aware of your surroundings. 

“Remain aware,” said Morris Langworthy, News Channel Nebraska Meteorologist.   

According to the National Weather Service, many areas of Nebraska are under a hazardous weather outlook. This includes a flood watch as well as a dense fog advisory, mainly caused by ice jams. 

“Now, temperatures everyday are easily hitting 40s and 50s, even in the panhandle, we are hitting 60s now,” Langworthy said. “So, we’re melting that ice. It’s breaking up and that ice starts floating down the river. Well, it begins to slide up on itself and begins to jam up, and we get an ice jam.”

With the ice jams, water levels are slowly beginning to rise. However, there are some areas of the state that are higher than others. Levels in the Elkhorn River just sit slightly over five feet. Elevation over 10 feet is what is considered “action level”; and parts of northeast and central Nebraska could see these levels of numbers, making conditions hazardous.

“If you notice water over the  road, for example Oakdale has that right now, don’t drive through it,” Risor said. “If you can stay away from areas like that completely, that’s the best advice.”

If one does happen to get their car stuck in water or a dangerous situation, follow what Risor suggests.

“If you can abandon the car and get out, do that,” Risor said. “That is the best way, safely. If you can’t do that, just ride it out and call 911.”

“The best thing to do if you are under a flood advisory or a flood watch is remain aware, aware of changing conditions,” Langworthy said. “Those flood levels can spike up and down depending on that (ice) jam and how that is situated.”

According to Langworthy, not only is snow a hazard when it first falls, but even when it begins to melt. 

“Now, we’ve got a natural occurring ice jam, so that water keeps pouring in from snowmelt,” Langworthy said. “Eastern Nebraska is probably the best place to get these to really form.”

The risk of flooding in portions of eastern Nebraska will last through at least the early part of this week. The state also remains in a dense fog advisory. 

The following counties are currently in a Flood Watch or Advisory:

BUTLER, CASS, COLFAX, CUMING, DODGE, DOUGLAS, MADISON, PLATTE, SARPY, SAUNDERS, STANTON AND WASHINGTON.